Remains found in car identified as missing Summit County woman Ashley Biggs, suspect arrested

NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio - Less than a day after a 25-year-old Summit County woman was reported missing, her car and body were discovered in Wayne County and her child’s father has been arrested, the sheriff's department said.

New Franklin police said 25-year-old Ashley Biggs of Akron worked for Domino’s Pizza in Akron and was making a delivery to the side of the building on West Turkeyfoot Lake Road at about 12:45 a.m. Thursday – but did not return.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office took a missing persons report for her at about 1 a.m.

At the request of the sheriff’s office, New Franklin police checked West Turkeyfoot Lake Road and discovered the scene of a struggle. Officers said there was blood on the ground, as well as scattered change and marks indicating someone had been dragged.

While other area agencies searched for Biggs, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office located her car in Chippewa Township hours later at about 11:30 a.m. Her body was inside the vehicle, according to New Franklin police, and she was bound with zip ties and had blunt force trauma to the head.

Investigators said it’s unclear how Biggs died.

Police said it appeared Biggs was killed at a location in Summit County and brought to the Wayne County location after the fact.

Officers arrested 30-year-old Chad Cobb of Rittman. Cobb has been charged with aggravated murder and kidnapping. He’s being held at the Summit County Jail.

According to New Franklin police, Biggs and Cobb had a bitter custody battle over their 6-year-old daughter.

In June, Summit County court records show he complained that Biggs was not allowing their daughter to call him every night, like the court ordered. He also complained Biggs initially refused to allow the girl to accompany him on a summer vacation.

In March, a judge ordered Biggs and Cobb to have no contact for one year. In February, Cobb requested a new child custody agreement.  

Neighbors told NewsChannel5’s Sarah Buduson that Cobb also had a problem with Biggs' partner. Biggs lived with the woman and, in Facebook photos, they appear to have a romantic relationship. In December 2011, Cobb obtained a protective order that would stop the woman from seeing his daughter.

Cobb pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges involving Biggs in 2005 in Akron Municipal Court.

New Franklin police are continuing to investigate the case.