Oxford PD: 2 suicide notes found in investigation

Larry Tipton left two suicide notes and consented to a weapons search before he entered Rebecca Eldemire's apartment in Oxford Saturday night -- just hours before the two were found dead Sunday morning, according to new information from the Oxford Police Department.

Tipton, 27, was met by three officers in the parking lot outside the Level 27 apartments where he agreed to let officers search his person and a bag for weapons, Sgt. Jon Varley of the Oxford Police Department said Friday.

"There was no legal standing to search his vehicle at that time," Varley said. "It was not in the immediate vicinity and did not warrant a search."

At the request of Eldemire, Tipton was escorted up to her apartment where Eldemire and Tipton could speak with officers present. Eldemire told officers that they were no longer needed after a brief conversation.

The three Oxford police officers cleared the scene at 10:52 p.m. and had no further contact with the apartment complex until 911 calls were made the following morning, Varley said.

At approximately midnight, Tipton left the apartment to get a "plant" from his vehicle, police learned from Eldemire's roommates this week.

"Ms. Eldemire met [Tipton] in the hallway and there was still no weapon visible," Varley said. "When the two returned to the room, roommates said there was no indication of fighting or arguing."

By Sunday morning, she was dead of gunshot wounds from a gun fired by Tipton, who then shot himself, police said. Friday, police disclosed that Eldemire had been shot multiple times.

"There was no sign of a struggle," Varley said. "The weapon was recovered between the two of them. It was on the bed."

Varley said that Tipton spent the night in Eldemire's apartment.

"Two suicide notes were found during the investigation," Varley said. "One was found in Columbus at Tipton's residence and one at the Oxford apartment. Both were written by Tipton."

Eldemire's roommates called police at 8:45 a.m. Sunday reporting loud bangs and an activated smoke alarm blaring from her locked bedroom.

Police did not reveal where in the Columbus area Tipton lived but Miami officials said they have no record of his having any connection with the university.

Eldemire listed her home address with a parent in Maineville, though another parent lives in the Columbus area.

The deaths remain under investigation with the Butler County Coroner's Office, and a more detailed report will be released upon the completion of its investigation, Varley said.

Eldemire's family has set up a foundation in her memory called The Rebecca C. Eldemire BEEPS Foundation - Betterment for Environmental and Earth Protection. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that donations be made to the foundation at Chase Bank in Rebecca's honor and memory.

Students and residents who are suffering from or threatened with domestic assault or sexual harassment can contact the following resources:

Miami University Police: 513-529-2222

Oxford Police: 513-523-4321

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program: 513-529-1870

Office of Equity & Equal Opportunity: 513-529-7157

Student Counseling Services: 513-529-4634

Women Helping Women: 513-381-5610

Enquirer reporters Michael D. Clark, Keith BieryGolick and Emilie Eaton contributed to this report.