HURON COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - For eight years, Tricia Shepard has questioned whether her daughter's death in a fiery crash was really an accident. The case is still open, but she says she's losing faith in the Huron County Sheriff's Office investigation.
Now, she's pleading for a fresh set of eyes -- asking for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) to take a closer look.
Tricia Shepard went to the Huron County Sheriff's Office Tuesday with one goal: convince Sheriff Todd Corbin to turn the case over to BCI.
The County Sheriff or County Prosecutor need to make a formal request to BCI for the state agency to get involved.
However, Tricia's scheduled meeting didn't happen. She was told it would need to be rescheduled -- leaving her frustrated.
Tricia: "A lot of disappointment right now..."
At the center of her fight: the death of her daughter, Katelynn.
On July 9, 2018, just days after her 21st birthday, Katelynn's charred pickup truck was found in a ditch off Townline Road 187 near Greenwich Township. Inside, state troopers found her remains -- burned beyond recognition.
Tricia: "There's just so much that led up to that night..."
Tricia says Katelynn was in a rough relationship, and hours before the crash, she told her boyfriend it was over.
Tricia: "I said 'Katie be careful.' It’s the last time I talked to her."
Sheriff Corbin declined an on-camera interview. In an email, he said Katelynn’s case remains open:
The case is still active and remains open pending any new leads or additional information that can be followed up on.
He added that at this time, there is no new information. We also asked whether the department considers Katelynn’s death suspicious and whether he would ask BCI to step in -- he did not respond to those questions.
The Huron County coroner reported Katelynn died of thermal burns from a motor vehicle accident, and her death was ruled an accident in an unwitnessed highway crash.
Tricia says she still has major questions -- pointing to the crash report.
"The crash report stated they can't determine how the truck went off the road or how the truck caught on fire," says Tricia.
19 News has requested the crash report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. They have acknowledged receiving our request but have not yet sent us any documents.
Tricia believes BCI could find answers she says haven't been found yet -- and points to other recent cases in Huron County where BCI involvement led to convictions.
"I think they'll be able to see the different things this place isn't picking up," says Tricia, adding "We're just asking you to hand the case over to BCI -- Katie deserves better."
We reached out to BCI to see if their assistance has been requested in Katelynn's case. We have not heard back.