2 Arrested After Body of Pregnant Woman, 28, Is Discovered Inside a Plastic Tote on Ohio Roadway

NEED TO KNOW

• Two men have been arrested in Ohio after the body of a pregnant woman — whom police have identified as Brittany Fuhr-Storms — was found inside a plastic tote on a roadway

• Police confirmed Fuhr-Storms' unborn child also didn't survive

• Suspect James Rothenbusch allegedly told police Fuhr-Storms had died in his home "under suspicious circumstances" and he had kept her body there for days before disposing of it

Two men have been arrested after a pregnant woman was found dead inside a plastic tote in Ohio, authorities have said.

On Sunday, Aug. 3 at approximately 7:47 p.m. local time, the Jackson Township Police Department responded to reports of a deceased person on Fort Anthony Road in Jackson Township, per a Facebook post shared by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).

"Upon arrival, officers located a deceased adult female inside a plastic tote, discovered by individuals walking along the roadway," the post stated, identifying the victim as Brittany Fuhr-Storms, 28, who was pregnant at the time of her death.

The sheriff's office stated, "Jackson Township Police Department immediately secured the scene and requested the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office to respond. MCSO's Special Investigation Unit and Evidence Technicians responded to the scene and the Montgomery County Coroner's Office took custody of the remains."

An autopsy was conducted, revealing Fuhr-Storms "was pregnant at the time of her death, and tragically, the unborn child did not survive," the MCSO stated.

"Investigations led MCSO to Franklin, Brittany's last known address and based on information obtained there, investigators then contacted Middletown Division of Police and a joint investigation between Middletown and MCSO began," the post continued.

Confirming two arrests had since been made, the MCSO revealed that the team and Middletown Police officers had "executed a narcotics search warrant on Logan Ave," which was the residence of one suspect, James Rothenbusch.

"He was detained at the scene where narcotics and other drug paraphernalia were recovered. Items related to the death investigation were also observed, prompting a secondary search warrant," the sheriff's office said.

Police alleged that Rothenbusch had "admitted to drug trafficking and stated Brittany died in his home under suspicious circumstances," during an interview, saying of the suspect, "He admitted to keeping her body in the residence for approximately four days before it was disposed of."

Authorities stated that a second suspect, Rick Sheppard, had also been arrested.

"[Sheppard] was located on Baltimore St. in Middletown. During questioning, Sheppard also admitted Brittany had died in the home and that her body remained there for nearly a week before being disposed of," the MCSO's post alleged.

Rothenbusch has been charged with corrupting another with drugs - specific to a pregnant woman, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse, trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs, failure to report crime or death, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, Sheppard was charged with gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.

"Both individuals admitted they were aware Brittany was pregnant," the sheriff's office confirmed.

Fuhr-Storms had been left in the shower for several days before her body was found, Fox-affiliated station WXIX reported, citing authorities.

The outlet noted that suspect “Sheppard [had] attempted to flee [before his arrest] but was quickly apprehended and detained. He later stated that the deceased died from an alleged overdose and she remained in the house for approximately a week before being removed," citing police.

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The wife of Fuhr-Storms' twin brother has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for a memorial service for the victim.

"She was very loved by her family. This was very unexpected news to everyone," the page's organizer, Joria Isaacs, wrote.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the Middletown Division of Police did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. PEOPLE has also contacted Joria Isaacs for a tribute from the victim's family.

Read the original article on People