Accused Mayfield Heights Killer May Have Stalked Victim

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH — On Monday, Dominique Swopes was charged with murdering Rebecca Pletnewski and her 8-year-old daughter. New reports accuse Swopes of stalking Pletnewski for months before her death.

Mayfield Heights Police Chief Fred Bittner told Fox 8 that Pletnewski's family told police Swopes had been potentially stalking the woman. "He became our primary suspect at the time after talking to family," Bittner said.

Bittner said Swopes may have left notes for Pletnewski, approached her outside, and reached out to her on social media. Pletnewski repeatedly told Swopes that she had a boyfriend and wanted nothing to do with him, Bittner added.

Pletnewski's home on Longwood Road caught fire on November 20. She was found dead inside the house by firefighters. Her 8-year-old daughter, Olivia, was rushed to Hillcrest Hospital where she later died from smoke inhalation.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner later ruled that Pletnewski was dead before the fire was set. The cause of her death was "cervical compression with sharp force injuries." That effectively means the 41-year-old was stabbed in the spine.

Swopes was brought in for questioning on the day of the fire, Nov. 20, but was later released. He was arrested on Nov. 23 and charged with murder and arson on Monday.

Read the full Fox 8 report by clicking here.

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Photos from Mayfield Heights Police