A routine landscaping job in Ohio ended in tragedy this week after a dispute over unpaid work turned fatal. Christopher Michael Key, a 53-year-old landscaper, was killed following a violent altercation with a client.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in North College Hill, a suburb of Cincinnati. According to police reports, the argument escalated rapidly, leading to the alleged stabbing of Mr Key by 52-year-old Douglas M. Mowris.
A Dispute Turns Deadly
Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene on Tuesday afternoon. Upon arrival, they discovered Mr Key with critical injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have stated that the confrontation began when Mr Key confronted Mr Mowris about money owed for landscaping services. What started as a verbal disagreement quickly spiralled into physical violence.
Suspect in Custody
Douglas M. Mowris was apprehended at the location and has since been charged with murder. He is currently being held in the Hamilton County Justice Centre awaiting his initial court appearance.
Court records indicate that the two men were known to each other prior to the incident, with Mr Key having performed work for Mr Mowris on previous occasions. The specific amount of money involved in the dispute has not been disclosed by officials.
Community in Shock
The killing has sent shockwaves through the local community, where such violent crimes are rare. Neighbours described the event as deeply unsettling, highlighting the senseless nature of the tragedy stemming from a financial disagreement.
An investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is ongoing as they piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the landscaper's untimely death.
