On Sunday, a Dollar Tree store in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, saw the tragic death of newlywed Keris Riebel, 22, who was there when a guy wielding a machete broke in.
About 4:25 p.m., Riebel was working at the store at 1120 Wyandot Avenue, according to Upper Sandusky Police.
When a 27-year-old man called Bethel Bekele approached the business with a machete. Bekele is accused of approaching Riebel and stabbing her repeatedly with the instrument.
Police were called after reports of a man using a machete and hitting a worker inside the company. When they arrived, Riebel had already died. Officers discovered the suspect in a parked automobile near the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office on the 100 block of South Fifth Street.
When police arrived, Bekele surrendered, was brought into custody, and has been charged with murder.
Police are investigating whether Riebel and Bekele knew each other, but the motive for the attack is now unknown. One homeowner remarked after the incident, “It’s horrible to see something like this in Upper Sandusky because it’s such a wonderful location.”
Riebel’s family is in sorrow, and her aunt has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover burial expenses and Jordan Riebel’s lost wages while he grieves.
Riebel was eager to begin her career after earning her Bachelor of Science in Human Resources. Riebel and Jordan, according to her aunt, were ready to start their new lives together, have a family, and buy a pet.
But, their future was “ripped apart from the both of them in a matter of seconds.”
Wynford Local Schools, where Riebel graduated in 2019, remembered her as a “beautiful soul with a faith-filled heart.” Her grin was amazing, and she exuded genuine kindness to everyone she met. Keris left us far too soon, but her memory will live on in the hearts of the Wynford community forever.
“The loss of such a smart and promising young woman is heartbreaking, and our thoughts are with her husband, family, and loved ones during this terrible time.” It’s unknown if Bekele has entered a plea or hired an attorney to represent him.
