Four-Year-Old's Bloody Journey Reveals Horrific Crime
A young boy's chilling description of a "green monster" standing over his bed became the key to unlocking a gruesome double murder case in rural Ohio. Dameon Huffman, just four years old, awoke during the night to see a terrifying figure in his doorway before discovering his great-grandparents' bodies the following morning.
The Blood-Stained Run for Help
Dameon's ordeal began when he entered his great-grandparents' bedroom to find Jack and Linda Myers, both in their fifties, lying motionless in their bed. The child initially thought they were sleeping but soon realized something was terribly wrong. "He thought that their faces were melting," investigators later revealed, describing how the boy attempted to clean blood from their faces with tissues before realizing the situation was beyond his understanding.
In a desperate bid for assistance, Dameon ran a full mile from the isolated Drake County farmhouse to his preschool while still wearing his blood-soaked pyjamas. Teacher Marlene Harris immediately noticed the bloodstains on his clothing and contacted authorities without hesitation.
A Scene of Unimaginable Violence
When police officers arrived at the Myers' residence, they encountered one of the most disturbing crime scenes of their careers. Jack Myers, 51, lay on his stomach with a massive shotgun wound to the back of his neck. His wife Linda, 55, was positioned on her back with defensive wounds to her hand and face, suggesting she had attempted to shield herself from the attack.
"It was one of the more graphic scenes I've ever experienced," one first responder later confessed. The couple had been killed at close range with a 12-gauge shotgun, their blood still warm and wet when discovered, indicating the murders had occurred recently.
The Mysterious Green Monster
During questioning, Dameon provided investigators with crucial details about the night's events. Using a dollhouse to recreate the scene, the child explained how he had heard his bedroom door open during the night. A figure he described as "The Green Monster" had entered his room and pointed a gun directly at him. Terrified, Dameon pretended to be asleep until the intruder departed.
This account proved particularly significant when police discovered a homemade gun silencer made from quilting fabric and masking tape near Jack's body. The presence of this device suggested the killer knew someone else was in the house, making Dameon's testimony about the nighttime visitor especially compelling.
Building the Case Against a Suspect
Investigators quickly identified multiple potential suspects given the couple's various business ventures. Jack repaired and sold vehicles while managing rental properties, and Linda operated a pizza parlour. However, the crime scene revealed that valuables and cash had been left untouched, eliminating robbery as a primary motive.
The investigation took a decisive turn when a neighbor came forward with crucial information. Jon Helmandollar revealed that Jack's 25-year-old son, Gregg Myers, had openly inquired about purchasing a gun to shoot his father. Gregg, known to have significant financial difficulties, stood to inherit the valuable family farm upon his father and stepmother's deaths.
Uncovering the Evidence
Detective Rodney Baker traced shotgun ammunition purchased by Gregg Myers at a local Walmart just two days before the murders. Subsequent searches of the nearby Stillwater River yielded even more damning evidence: a Winchester shotgun with its serial number partially filed off, latex gloves, a green tracksuit, 12-gauge sabot slugs, and size 7½ tennis shoes.
Forensic experts successfully identified the recovered weapon, whose registered owner confirmed selling it to Gregg Myers. The green tracksuit provided the explanation for Dameon's "green monster" description, while the tennis shoes matched footprints found near a broken basement window at the crime scene.
Justice Served After Lengthy Deliberation
Gregg Myers stood trial in April 2004, facing overwhelming evidence connecting him to the brutal murders. After eight hours of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on April 27. Two days later, the court sentenced Myers to two consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole.
Despite subsequent appeals citing claims of childhood abuse and alleged unfair jury selection, Gregg Myers remains incarcerated at Ohio's notoriously overcrowded Marion Correctional Institution. The case stands as a haunting reminder of how a child's nightmare vision helped unravel a carefully planned double homicide.
