Names released in weekend homicide
August 31, 2020
During a press conference Monday afternoon, the names of both the suspect accused of murder and his homicide victim were released.
David Sowers, 36-years-old, of Zanesville, has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder.
Sowers is alleged to have murdered 29-year-old Mia Micheli sometime Saturday morning by means of blunt force trauma according to Zanesville Police Chief Tony Coury.
As previously reported, the Zanesville Police Department was dispatched to the scene of 908 Turner St. after receiving a report that a homicide had occurred at the home.
Upon arriving at the residence and not receiving acknowledgment to a knock on the door, and concerned that the suspect could still be inside, Zanesville’s Special Response Team (SRT) unit was called to secure the scene.
As police continued to arrive, Zanesville Police Detective Tom Porter was able to draft up a warrant and have it signed by a local judge.
Eventually, police were able to make entrance through a back door of the home, where they found Micheli, deceased, laying in the front living room.
The suspect was not at the residence.
Sowers is being held in the Zanesville City Jail on a $1 million dollar bond.
He is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, as he was on parole when apprehended at his mother’s condo along Jane Circle in Falls Township.
Monday morning Dr. C. Jeff Lee of the Licking County Coroner’s Office verified the cause of death as blunt force trauma, no guns or knives were used in the murder.
According to Coury, the suspect was calm and non-aggressive when he was arrested, and has been speaking with detectives.
A motive has not yet been established, though it is believed to be a crime of passion.
Sowers had previously been charged with rape and aggravated burglary in 2013.
Ultimately, he pleaded to the charge of aggravated burglary, a felony of the second degree, and was sentenced to 5-years in prison.
Police are still searching for the victim’s 2010 Chevy Malibu with Ohio license plate HYK-4920, anyone who sees the vehicle is asked to contact the Zanesville Police Department.
Detectives are also asking for anyone who might have had contact with the victim within 24-hours of the murder to also reach out, as they are trying to establish a timeline of events.
Zanesville Mayor Don Mason says he is very proud of the work of the Zanesville Police Department’s officers and detectives, noting that this type of murder could happen anywhere in the city.
“This is what happens when people are released too soon,” said Mason who said citizens should call out their legislators who promote early release programs.
UPDATE: After publication of this story, Zanesville Mayor Don Mason reached out to Y-City News and stated that he had discovered that Sowers had served his complete 5-year sentence and was not released early.
Renee Thomas • Sep 4, 2020 at 10:06 am
For one, I believe David did complete his entire sentence and was not released early and two, even if he was released early for burglary….that has nothing to do with this current chain of events. Good people make bad decisions every day. …… That does not make them a monster….. They just made a split decision that was a bad decision. Prayers to everyone involved and their families. ❤️❤️
Mary Hopper • Sep 2, 2020 at 1:53 am
My heart goes out to this young lady’s family that’s left behind to pickup the pieces and try to make sense of all this unnecessary senseless violence.
But my comment is directed to Mayor Don Mason. On his comment “This is what happens when people are released too soon.” Mr. Mason went on to say further that this type of murder could happen anywhere and anytime. David Sowers was sentence to 5 years and served those 5 years from what I’ve read and heard. So with that said “Why would you make such a comment of this type of murder could happen anytime anywhere and that this is what happens when people are released too soon.” Instead of u making those questionable comment and instead of tell ppl to call out their legislators who promotes early release. You should have told the people to call on and let their voices be heard by their legislators to put job programs in our state prisons. I know there are jobs in them but what I don’t quite understand is that the inmates that have hefty sentences are given those jobs that a short term inmate could take with him upon his release and make a living with them. I know you’re a Mayor of Zanesville and I should be addressing someone at state level to look into it whatever they do.
Not all criminals are going to commit a violent crime such as murder if they should happen to get an early release. Which from what I’ve read in news sources Muskingum County judges aren’t too big on granting early releases for anyone.
Sheila Willey • Sep 1, 2020 at 7:56 pm
It’s okay Mayor Mason, it is the truth that a great number of our elected officials play their favorite game of Let’s Make a Deal instead of giving the sentence people deserve. And then they wonder why crime is up and Police morale is down. The police always show up and do their job, hand it over to a detective who builds a case only to see it all fall apart once it reaches the elected officials office. It’s making justice a joke and giving criminals more options when they commit a crime and it is a sick joke.
Kenya Stickel • Aug 31, 2020 at 5:31 pm
Good job ZPD and SRT I hope the man gets what he deserves and the victim Rest easy now one to the early release part and saying this is what happens NO not all people kill others nor do I think it has anything to do with someone getting released early if he was gonna do this it was mind set no matter when or what clearly NOT ALL PRISONERS ARE BAD NOR ARE MURDERS so please reframe how you word something because some of us have loved ones such as HUSBANDS brothers fathers sons mothers sisters That are incarcerated and I’d do anything FOR MY HUSBANDS TO GET OUT EARLY AND BE HOME WITH ME AND OUR CHILDREN Thank You
Jennifer Caton • Aug 31, 2020 at 4:55 pm
This saddens me that our community officials are so closed minded that people cannot be rehabilitated. This is one incident and the mayor bluntly is stereotyping ALL individuals who commit crimes. People change and realize that they have done wrong sometimes. Especially when they were on drugs when the crime was committed and they are facing 1/4 of their lives behind bars. Yes they can change! An early release will NOT deter that change! You can’t use one example for all examples life doesn’t work like that..cmon I thought we were smarter than this smh ♀️
Jockette • Aug 31, 2020 at 4:47 pm
I don’t think Mayor Mason should stereotype all people who get out of prison early. He’s saying that if he would’ve done the five years this wouldn’t have happened?
Chuck Perry • Aug 31, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Mason is right legislatures should be called out for the programs, especially on violent crimes.
Amy • Aug 31, 2020 at 2:53 pm
Who the hell sets the bonds!!! WTF! Murder!!!!