Deborah Frazier: Ohio woman who shot herself in the leg to stage home invasion pleads guilty to killing boyfriend

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

COLUMBUS, OHIO: A woman admitted to a plot that included the murder of her boyfriend, followed by shooting herself in the leg while talking to 911 the following day.

Deborah Frazier, aged 36, pleaded guilty to charges of murder, tampering with evidence, and gross abuse of a corpse in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Thomas Waddell.

On August 10, 2023, the body of Waddell was discovered in the rear room of his apartment, wrapped in a blanket and a garbage bag, and bound with duct tape.

Deborah Frazier dials 911, reports masked intruders

Police responded to Frazier's 911 call, wherein she falsely reported masked intruders in the house.

She claimed to have arrived and found the door open with signs of a burglary.

During the call, a gunshot was heard, followed by Frazier's claim of being shot, as per ABC6.

Upon police arrival, she had sustained a gunshot wound to her leg, and a .22 revolver was found nearby on the ground. Subsequently she was transported to the hospital.

Detective Bryan Ruff observed no signs of theft at Thomas Waddell's apartment

As per the plea agreement, Detective Bryan Ruff  from the Zanesville Police Department conducted an investigation at the crime scene and observed that the apartment was well-maintained, with no apparent missing valuables, including numerous firearms, which are typically targeted in home invasions. 

Notably, Waddell had no history of drug use or criminal activity that would suggest a break-in.

Additionally, officers discovered torn-up photographs of Frazier and Waddell on the floor.

A detective visited the hospital to conduct gunshot residue testing.

According to the statement of facts, the purpose of this test was to detect gunshot residue (GSR) on anyone who had been shot. However, it was noted that a guilty person might alter their account if they believed forensic evidence would incriminate them. 

Police stated that Frazier changed her initial story to claim she had touched the gun that shot her. 

A forensic pathologist determined that Waddell had died approximately four hours prior to 9 pm on August 9, the day preceding Frazier's 911 call.

Detectives found evidence against Deborah Frazier

The statement of facts outlined an intricate plan, creating a fake account claiming to be a fraud claims specialist for the bank at which Waddell and Frazier shared a bank account. The account was depleted to $2,000.

Frazier allegedly informed her other boyfriend that she was a live-in nurse for Waddell, whom she purported had dementia. 

She requested her other boyfriend to leave a voicemail for Waddell, posing as a bank agent. 

Additionally, she had him drive her around the county on the evening of August 9. Deleted searches on Frazier's phone included inquiries about the bank's logo, and bank fraud information.

Detective found deleted searches from Deborah Frazier's phone

Detective Sergeant Phil Michel uncovered deleted searches on Frazier’s phone. One such search, 'How long goes GSR stay on skin', was conducted on Google at 8.16 am on August 10, five hours before the 911 call.

Additionally, he utilized forensic software to conduct a more thorough search of Frazier’s phone, revealing a series of deleted searches like, 'How to load a gun', 'How to load a revolver pistol', 'Will a gun for the wrong ammo', 'How to know what ammo your gun uses', 'How to uncock the hammer on a revolver', 'What does 22 ammo look like', and 'Worst place to get hit in the head'.

Detective Ruff submitted the trash bags and duct tape that enveloped Mr Waddell’s body for DNA testing. The results indicated that only the DNA of Frazier and Waddell was detected on these items. 

Additionally, two Velcro straps, which had been attached to Waddell’s body and used to move his body across the apartment, were submitted for testing. 

The DNA analysis solely linked them to Frazier. Furthermore, Frazier’s hair was discovered in the duct tape used to fasten the trash bags to Thomas Waddell’s feet.

Based on the gathered evidence, police focused their investigation on Frazier, whom they believe acted alone and manipulated others to execute her plan. 

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle stated, "Frazier deserves and will serve a life sentence for her crime. This plea allows her to accept responsibility and eliminates the risks associated with a trial on the horrific and tabloid-esque facts of this case."