KENT, Ohio — Two real-estate agents were killed in vacant homes for sale and another was robbed all within a week, prompting frightened agents in northeast Ohio to cancel open houses and avoid meeting prospective buyers alone.
Two brothers were arrested Tuesday in the Sept. 15 robbery of a real- estate agent who showed them an apartment in Boardman Township.
Vivian Martin, 67, was found dead on the kitchen floor in a burning home Monday in Youngstown, said Police Chief Jimmy Hughes. An autopsy showed she was strangled before the home burned down, and the fire was ruled an arson.
The next day, the body of 51-year- old Andrew VonStein, who had been shot once, was found in a vacant white ranch-style house he was trying to sell west of Youngstown.
“A lot of agents are really scared and upset,” said Suzanne Brown of Re/Max Valley Real Estate in Youngs town. She said she is reminding agents to take standard precautions when showing homes, such as not going into the house first and not bending down or turning your back to clients. Agents are also encouraged to meet new clients at the office and get identification. The Associated Press
