TROTWOOD, Ohio (TCD) — A 29-year-old man pleaded not guilty to killing a missing 62-year-old man and leaving his body in a toolbox near his home.
In December, the Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced a grand jury returned an indictment against Nicholas Swisher for one count each of murder, felonious assault, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and gross abuse of a corpse in connection with the death of John Mullins. Court records show Swisher entered the not guilty plea on Dec. 29.
Mullins was reported missing to Trotwood Police on Sept. 25, 2022, after he had not been seen for several days. Detectives located his body “stuffed inside a truck toolbox” behind the a home on Midway Avenue four days later. The autopsy showed Mullins died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries.
According to the affidavit cited by the Dayton Daily News, Swisher allegedly “lured” Mullins to his home, then “hit, kicked, and stomped” on him.
The affidavit says, “He then bound him with rope and duct tape before causing his death by beating. Nicholas then wrapped Mullins’ body, put him in a toolbox and disposed of him in the woods.”
Mullins was likely killed between Sept. 22 and Sept. 29, 2022.
Investigators later identified Swisher as the suspect and said he was arrested in Georgia on drug charges. He was later extradited back to Ohio.
The same day he got charged, Swisher was arrested for allegedly stealing a U-Haul truck and crashing with another driver during a police pursuit.
Swisher is in custody at the Montgomery County Jail with bond set at $1 million.
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