Murder in Strongsville: Suspects Arrested

STRONGSVILLE, OH - Two suspects accused of killing 50-year-old Dean Vastartis were arrested in Ashland, Ohio on Tuesday. Timothy Bene, 32, and Courtney Heckman, 23, were apprehended, without incident, by Strongsville detectives.

The two suspects were taken to Ashland Police Department where they waived their extradition hearing and were taken to Strongsville. The US Marshals and Ashland Police Department aided Strongsville in this investigation.

Bene is Vastartis' stepson. Both Bene and Heckman will appear in Berea Municipal Court on Wednesday. They will likely faces murder charges.

According to earlier reports, police officers 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 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.

Photo from Strongsville Police