Unsolved in Ohio: George Gibson

Cincinnati, Ohio, has many unsolved murder cases resting on a shelf somewhere collecting dust. For the Catch my Killer podcast, I have spoken to family members of some of these victims. There was a high-profile homicide case in Cincinnati, Ohio that occurred on June 22, 2000. George Gibson, 47, a Procter and Gamble veterinarian pathologist was found murdered in his West Chester, Ohio home.

He worked in a laboratory that no longer exists and lived within 30 minutes of his job. On June 22, 2000, he left work early after receiving a phone call from an unidentified person. Today, the caller’s identity remains unknown to the public. But here’s where things get strange. On the day he left early, it took Gibson two hours to get home. No one knows where he went. Also, during the investigation, West Chester police saw he didn’t charge anything or withdraw any cash.

Based on a witness statement, George arrived home and then closed his garage door. That was the last time anyone saw him alive. Something terrible had occurred because George didn’t return to work the next day.

His wife also worked for Procter and Gamble. She was working in New York and unsuccessfully tried to call George. After he didn’t respond, she called law enforcement and asked for a welfare check. A West Chester officer received a call to check on Gibson. When he approached the residence, the front door was open. The officer entered and then walked into a horrific crime scene. Gibson was deceased. His killer had shot him several times.

George Gibson's killer also killed his two beloved dogs

The killer had also killed Gibson’s two Bernese Mountain dogs named Hugo and Capella. According to police, the killer fired at least nine shots. When police investigated, they concluded that this wasn’t a burglary or even motivated by financial gain. It’s believed the killer entered the Gibson home, killed their two dogs and then waited for Gibson to return home. The killer wanted to ensure George Gibson was dead.

After investigating, law enforcement learned that George was a successful veterinarian who loved animals. He had excellent credentials. Gibson graduated from Brown University and then attended Michigan State University, where he received his veterinary medicine degree. He then attended Cornell University, where he received his doctorate in pathology.

Gibson’s co-workers described him as kind, gentle, intelligent, and private. But there were some kinks in the armor. Law enforcement learned George had used a phone dating service. This seemed unusual because people believed George was a happily married man.

Another neighbor provided a crucial tip. The witness heard gunfire and saw a strange man. She gave the police a description of the killer. Over the past twenty years, law enforcement has continued trying to capture the killer. So who killed George Gibson and why? For being such a private man, law enforcement has been at a loss for suspects.

They also looked into his profession. He conducted animal testing for his employer. And there were your typical protesters who don’t agree with animal testing. Could one of these protestors have killed Gibson? Although it’s a possibility, if the person loved animals, then why would he kill Gibson’s two dogs? Could it have been because of his phone dating connection? Perhaps he met someone who tried to blackmail him or threaten him.

Do you know who killed George Gibson and his two beloved dogs? If you know anything about this case, the West Chester Police need your help. You can call them at (513) 777-2231. You can also leave an anonymous tip.