The cause of death has been released in the case of 7-year-old William Evans-Ellis, an Ohio boy who was found bound with duct tape inside a closet at a Cincinnati home. Authorities say the child suffered fatal blunt force trauma to the head, along with numerous other injuries.
Hamilton County Coroner Lakshmi Sammarco said William appeared to have suffered injuries over a period of time. The boy was discovered unresponsive at a home in Cincinnati’s Oakley neighborhood on Aug. 6 and was later pronounced dead.
Coroner Reveals Cause of Death
Sammarco said William died from blunt force trauma to the head. Investigators also found a serious fracture near his elbow and bruises covering his body, with the injuries appearing to be of different ages.
The coroner said the number of bruises was too extensive to count and indicated that some injuries may have occurred over an extended period. She also confirmed that William was bound when authorities found him and said investigators believed he may have been dead inside the closet for approximately a day.
Authorities have not released every detail surrounding the boy’s death because the investigation remains ongoing.
Three Women Face Serious Charges
Three women have been arrested in connection with William’s death: his mother, 38-year-old Kaitlin Evans, along with Nessa Keaney, 23, and Kirby Rankin, 33.
Prosecutors say the three women lived together and co-parented William. They have each been charged with 13 offenses, including aggravated murder, kidnapping and child endangerment. All three pleaded not guilty at a court hearing on Aug. 14, and their bonds were maintained at $1.1 million each.
According to investigators, William had mental disabilities. A homicide detective told a judge that the boy had injuries consistent with physical assaults involving blunt-force trauma. Investigators have also alleged that he was subjected to other forms of abuse, including being held underwater and suffering burns.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
An indictment alleges that the three women discussed plans connected to the alleged abuse through messages on the Signal app between July 1 and Aug. 6.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich has said authorities are continuing to investigate the case, including whether prosecutors could seek the death penalty.
Police from Cincinnati and Norwood responded to the Oakley residence shortly after 1 p.m. on Aug. 6 following a report of a disturbance. Officers found William unresponsive inside the home. No other children were found at the residence, according to authorities.
The case remains active as prosecutors and investigators work to establish the full circumstances surrounding William’s death.
