The following announcement was made by Hardin County Sheriff Keith A. Everhart at 12:46 p.m. on March 21, 2022:

An incident initially thought to have been a traffic crash which resulted in the deaths of the car's two occupants, has been determined to be the result of an intentional criminal act. 

At 5:38 p.m. on Thursday evening March 17th, Hardin County Central Dispatch received a report of a vehicle off the road and fully engulfed in flames in a field on County Road 75 at County Road 30 in Liberty Township. 

Upon their arrival, emergency responders were unable to gain access to the vehicle due to the intensity of the flames. Once the fire was extinguished, the 2 occupants of the vehicle were discovered to have perished. 

Following an extensive investigation by the Hardin County Sheriff's Office with the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal investigation (BCI) and the Hardin County Coroner's Office the incident has been determined to be a murder-suicide. The victim has been identified as 8 year old Elliot Nabarette. Her father, Alcario Nabarette also perished from the flames. 

The investigation has concluded, although additional information continues to be gathered.