In a shocking Ohio case, 35-year-old Virginia resident C. Perkins has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting 31-year-old M. Dunmire in the back of the head in a national park. Perkins admitted to second-degree murder and using a firearm during a crime of violence in the 2021 killing.
Details of the Crime
Perkins traveled over 300 miles to meet Dunmire, a high school acquaintance, whom she accused of indecent assault four years prior. They spent the night together at a rented Airbnb before she drove him to a remote area in an Ohio national park on March 6, 2021. There, Perkins shot Dunmire once in the back of the head.
Hikers found Dunmire’s body three days later. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound. Investigators also found a water bottle with Perkins’ DNA at the scene.
Timeline and Investigation
The night before the murder, Dunmire went to a bar with coworkers, stating he planned to meet a woman in town. He left in a vehicle later identified as belonging to Perkins’ husband. The next day, Perkins and Dunmire headed to the park, where hikers later reported hearing a gunshot and saw a woman matching Perkins’ description wandering nearby.
Evidence against Perkins included ballistics, GPS tracking, phone records, and social media messages. She had messaged Dunmire before the meeting. A search of her home uncovered bullets matching those used in the murder, and her DNA was found on the victim and at the crime scene.
Initially denying involvement during a March 2021 interview, Perkins was arrested in December 2021 after an FBI investigation.
Background and Legal Proceedings
Perkins had filed a police complaint against Dunmire in 2017 for alleged indecent assault, but authorities did not press charges due to insufficient evidence. Frustrated by the delay in justice, Dunmire’s parents attempted vigilante justice, mistakenly shooting an innocent bystander. The mother later died by suicide, and the father was sentenced to three years in prison.
Perkins rejected an earlier plea deal carrying over 27 years but accepted a reduced charge to second-degree murder. She faces 20 to 25 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for September 9, 2025.
Victim and Family Impact
Dunmire’s family described him as a “free spirit” who loved music and friends. His tragic death and the violent aftermath highlight the devastating effects of unresolved trauma, unproven accusations, and acts of vengeance.