Two Ohio Men Arrested After Pregnant Woman’s Body Found Stuffed Inside Plastic Tote Along Rural Road

Pregnant Ohio woman Brittany Fuhr-Storms was tragically found deceased in a plastic tote along a rural road. Two men have been charged in connection with her death

By Savage RoyalT | August 11, 2025 | SavageRoyalT.com

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, OH — The body of a pregnant Ohio woman was discovered stuffed inside a large plastic storage tote on the side of a rural road, leading to the arrests of two men with lengthy criminal histories. Authorities identified the victim as 28-year-old Brittany Fuhr-Storms, whose remains were found on August 7 along Fort Anthony Road by two hikers who noticed a strong odor and called 911. Inside the sealed tote, wrapped in towels and a tarp, Fuhr-Storms was nude, and screws had been used to fasten the lid shut. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that she was pregnant at the time of her death and that her unborn child also did not survive.

Investigators traced the case to Fuhr-Storms’ last known address in Franklin, which led them to an apartment in Middletown belonging to James Rothenbusch, 52. A search warrant at the residence uncovered a blue tarp, blood-stained carpet, screws, towels matching those found with the body, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia. Authorities allege Rothenbusch admitted Fuhr-Storms died under suspicious circumstances in his home and that he kept her body in the shower for several days before placing it in the tote and dumping it by the roadside about a week later.

A second suspect, Rick Sheppard, 47, was later located in Middletown. Police say he attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. Sheppard told investigators Fuhr-Storms died of a drug overdose and that her body remained in the apartment for approximately a week before being disposed of. Both men admitted they were aware Fuhr-Storms was pregnant.

Rothenbusch is charged with corrupting another with drugs specific to a pregnant woman, trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to report a crime or death. Sheppard faces charges of gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. The coroner has not yet determined Fuhr-Storms’ official cause or manner of death, and authorities say more charges may be forthcoming.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Jeremy Roy praised the rapid cooperation between agencies, including the Jackson Township Police Department, Middletown Police Department, and other law enforcement partners, saying, “Everybody dropped everything as they should when you find out that a mother-to-be was just dumped on the side of the road.” Neighbors expressed shock, with one resident telling reporters he had “no clue” such a disturbing crime was happening nearby. The investigation remains ongoing.