Topline: Deleted messages uncovered in court records are now central to prosecutors’ claim that a Delaware County mother was killed in a planned attack inside her own home.
Published: August 21, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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Bryanna Dutcher, inset, and Tamela Dutcher (via Delaware County Jail / WBNS 10TV on YouTube)
DELAWARE, OH — An 18-year-old woman and her boyfriend are accused of plotting the fatal shooting of her mother inside the family’s Delaware County home, with newly revealed deleted text messages laying out the alleged plan.
10TV reported that court filings identify the victim as 55-year-old Tamela Dutcher and say her daughter, Bryanna Dutcher, 20-year-old Christian Evans, and 21-year-old Dajameous Payne are all charged with murder in the Aug. 14 shooting. Bryanna Dutcher also faces an obstruction of justice charge.
Prosecutors said the deleted messages were exchanged between Bryanna Dutcher and Evans and appear to show the shooting was discussed in advance. Court records reviewed in the case say the killing may have been tied to conflict over Bryanna Dutcher’s relationship with Evans and an argument inside the home before the gunfire.
Authorities said Tamela Dutcher was shot after deputies were called to the home shortly after midnight. Court records cited in the reporting say the shooters also fired at her husband when he tried to give her medical aid, but missed before fleeing the house.
The three defendants appeared for arraignment earlier this week, and a judge set bond at $3 million each. Bryanna Dutcher has denied taking part in planning the killing, according to the court proceedings summarized in the reporting.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Deleted Texts Detail Alleged Plot in Delaware County Killing of Tamela Dutcher
Deleted messages uncovered in court records are now central to prosecutors’ claim that a Delaware County mother was killed in a planned attack inside her own home.
By Randy Shaw
Published: August 21, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Bryanna Dutcher, inset, and Tamela Dutcher (via Delaware County Jail / WBNS 10TV on YouTube)
DELAWARE, OH — An 18-year-old woman and her boyfriend are accused of plotting the fatal shooting of her mother inside the family’s Delaware County home, with newly revealed deleted text messages laying out the alleged plan.
10TV reported that court filings identify the victim as 55-year-old Tamela Dutcher and say her daughter, Bryanna Dutcher, 20-year-old Christian Evans, and 21-year-old Dajameous Payne are all charged with murder in the Aug. 14 shooting. Bryanna Dutcher also faces an obstruction of justice charge.
Prosecutors said the deleted messages were exchanged between Bryanna Dutcher and Evans and appear to show the shooting was discussed in advance. Court records reviewed in the case say the killing may have been tied to conflict over Bryanna Dutcher’s relationship with Evans and an argument inside the home before the gunfire.
Authorities said Tamela Dutcher was shot after deputies were called to the home shortly after midnight. Court records cited in the reporting say the shooters also fired at her husband when he tried to give her medical aid, but missed before fleeing the house.
The three defendants appeared for arraignment earlier this week, and a judge set bond at $3 million each. Bryanna Dutcher has denied taking part in planning the killing, according to the court proceedings summarized in the reporting.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
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Deleted Texts Detail Alleged Plot in Delaware County Killing of Tamela Dutcher
Deleted messages uncovered in court records are now central to prosecutors’ claim that a Delaware County mother was killed in a planned attack inside her own home.
By Randy Shaw
Published: August 21, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Bryanna Dutcher, inset, and Tamela Dutcher (via Delaware County Jail / WBNS 10TV on YouTube)
DELAWARE, OH — An 18-year-old woman and her boyfriend are accused of plotting the fatal shooting of her mother inside the family’s Delaware County home, with newly revealed deleted text messages laying out the alleged plan.
10TV reported that court filings identify the victim as 55-year-old Tamela Dutcher and say her daughter, Bryanna Dutcher, 20-year-old Christian Evans, and 21-year-old Dajameous Payne are all charged with murder in the Aug. 14 shooting. Bryanna Dutcher also faces an obstruction of justice charge.
Prosecutors said the deleted messages were exchanged between Bryanna Dutcher and Evans and appear to show the shooting was discussed in advance. Court records reviewed in the case say the killing may have been tied to conflict over Bryanna Dutcher’s relationship with Evans and an argument inside the home before the gunfire.
Authorities said Tamela Dutcher was shot after deputies were called to the home shortly after midnight. Court records cited in the reporting say the shooters also fired at her husband when he tried to give her medical aid, but missed before fleeing the house.
The three defendants appeared for arraignment earlier this week, and a judge set bond at $3 million each. Bryanna Dutcher has denied taking part in planning the killing, according to the court proceedings summarized in the reporting.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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