Murder in Strongsville: Police Locate Suspect Vehicle, Suspects Still At-Large

STRONGSVILLE, OH - Police have issued a warrant for two people for the murder of a 50-year-old Strongsville man. Timothy Bene, 32, and Courtney Heckman, 23, are accused of killing Bene's stepfather, Dean Vastartis.

Police department officials say they were called to 13593 Sprague Rd. for a domestic violence report on Feb. 3. When officers entered the house they found Vastartis, 50, with multiple stab wounds in his body. Strongsville Fire arrived and treated the Vastartis on the scene.

Crews then transported Vastartis to Southwest General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police then issued warrants for Bene and Heckman.

According to police, both suspects may have been travelling in a blue 2013 Mazda Protege. The Ohio registration is GNC3946. However, police located the vehicle on Feb. 6 and did not find the suspects within the vehicle. Police say they do not know how the suspects may be traveling.

Bene also has a large tattoo on his neck. You can see photos of both suspects above and below.

Anyone with information should call Strongsville Police at 440-580-3230.

Photos from Strongsville Police Department