Was 1995 30 years ago? For the family of Kimberly Fulton and her 17-month-old son Daniel, it has been three decades of waiting for justice. Scott Hickman, 53, was convicted on Wednesday of four counts of aggravated murder and two counts of murder for the 1995 deaths of Kimberly Fulton, 28, and her son Daniel.
The Washington County jury delivered their verdict after a two-week trial before Judge Mark Kerenyi in the Common Pleas Court. This breakthrough represents one of Ohio’s most significant cold case resolutions in recent years.
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The 1995 Double Murder Case
The victims’ bodies were discovered on March 5, 1995 inside a burned mobile home in Palmer Township. For nearly three decades, the case remained unsolved, leaving family members searching for answers and closure.
The brutal murders shocked the Washington County community. Kimberly Fulton was just 28 years old when she and her toddler son were killed. The case went cold for years despite investigators’ efforts.
Cold Case Investigation Breakthrough
“These brutal murders went unsolved for three decades, leaving a family searching for answers and justice,” Attorney General Dave Yost stated following the conviction. The case was reopened as part of ongoing cold case investigations using advanced forensic techniques.
New evidence emerged that allowed prosecutors to build their case against Hickman. The Waterford resident had been connected to the victims through the investigation that spanned multiple years.
Trial Details and Evidence
The trial began in early August 2025 with extensive witness testimony. After listening to dozens of witness testimonies and examining evidence in the courtroom of Washington County, the jury reached their unanimous verdict.
Prosecutors presented evidence linking Hickman to the crime scene. The case highlighted how modern investigative techniques can breathe new life into decades-old murders.
Justice After Three Decades
The conviction brings long-awaited closure to the Fulton family. Hickman is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14. He faces multiple life sentences for the aggravated murder charges.
This case demonstrates the persistence of Ohio law enforcement agencies in pursuing justice, regardless of how much time has passed. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation and local authorities worked together to solve this cold case.
Impact on Cold Case Investigations
The successful prosecution of this 30-year-old case sends a powerful message to other families waiting for justice. Ohio maintains an active cold case database through the Attorney General’s Office, working to solve unsolved homicides across the state.
Modern DNA technology, forensic advances, and renewed investigative efforts continue to crack cases that once seemed impossible to solve. This conviction proves that time doesn’t diminish law enforcement’s commitment to justice.
Looking Forward
Was 1995 30 years ago? Yes, and for the Fulton family, each year brought hope that justice would eventually prevail. Scott Hickman’s conviction represents not just the end of a long legal journey, but also hope for other families dealing with unsolved murders.
The Washington County case joins other recent cold case successes across Ohio, showing that persistence and modern investigative techniques can overcome decades of uncertainty. What started as a tragic double murder in 1995 has finally reached its conclusion in 2025.
What other cold cases do you think deserve renewed attention? Share your thoughts on how communities can support ongoing investigations into unsolved crimes.