Missing woman's family gets update on case

LANCASTER – One month has passed since Terri Jo Hamm was seen for the last time.

There has been few public updates on the case from officials, but Terri's family members met with law enforcement Thursday to hear news on the missing person case.

Terri's sister-in-law, Nicki Green, said that at the request of the Fairfield County Prosecutor's Office, she declined to meet with the Eagle-Gazette for an interview updating the case. However, Green asked for the public's help, saying information on the whereabouts of Terri and her husband, Jeffrey Hamm, for the week of Jan. 25 is still greatly needed.

"My response to the people who are too afraid to come forward with information: Put yourself in our shoes," she said. "What if it was your mother, or sister, or grandmother?"

Terri Hamm was last seen Jan. 26 and was reported missing by her husband five days later. Investigators conducted a court-sealed search warrant Feb. 8 at the Hamms' home, 1442 E. Chestnut St., and arrested Jeffrey Hamm the same day on unrelated drug charges.

With those drug charges, Fairfield County Prosecutor Gregg Marx was able to obtain a significant bond amount, keeping Jeffrey Hamm in jail on a $500,000 cash/surety bond and a $250,000 recognizance bond. Municipal Court Judge Patrick Harris sided with Marx on the high bond amount after Marx said Jeffrey Hamm was a potential safety risk to himself and others, and that he also may be a flight risk.

Marx also said more serious charges are expected to follow, but would not say what they were.

A grand jury later indicted Jeffrey Hamm on two fifth-degree felony drug charges relating to possession of heroin and methamphetamine earlier this month.

He was expected in court Thursday in an attempt to lower his bond amount with his court-appointed defense attorney, Scott Wood. However, the bond hearing was canceled just before it was set to begin.

Also on Thursday, three Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation vehicles were seen outside the Lancaster Police Department all day, but when the Eagle-Gazette called to ask about their presence, little was revealed.

"We're assisting Lancaster (police department) on an investigation," BCI spokesperson Eve Mueller said. "We can't say anything further."

At Jeffrey Hamm's arraignment earlier this month, he told Harris he had an issue with the prosecutor's office and needed to get out of jail and find an attorney quickly.

"It's a long story. I'm sure you'll hear it," Jeffrey Hamm told the judge.

The couple has been married for 17 years, and Terri Hamm's family described their relationship as "rocky."

Jeffrey Hamm has not been charged with any crimes related to Terri Hamm's disappearance, and law enforcement officials declined to comment or did not return phone calls on the happenings with the BCI and the bond hearing Thursday.

In addition to seeking information about the the Hamms' whereabouts from the week of Jan. 25, investigators also are gathering information about three vehicles possibly involved in the case that the couple had access to from that time frame. The vehicles were described as a 2001 Ford E-250, a white work van with a ladder rack on top and the license plate PHT 2719; a dark blue 2003 Ford F-150 with the plate GHQ 4297; and a 1998 black Chevrolet Blazer, EQN 3617.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police department's Detective Bureau at 740-687-6680, ext. 535.

sroush@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4342

Twitter: @SpencerRoushLEG