BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN -- Following Monday's extensive search of a home at 603 14th Ave., where slaying victim Cheryl Durkin had sometimes stayed, the man who lives there has been under a cloud of suspicion that might not be deserved, police said Wednesday.
The man "had quite a bit of contact" with Ms. Durkin, 33, whose dismembered body was found in the Great Miami River last month and was identified this week, Butler County Sheriff's Lt. Anthony Dwyer said.
Because of the man's close association with Ms. Durkin, investigators needed to question him.
The man, whom relatives have described as an ex-boyfriend and business partner in construction-type work, has "cooperated fully" with police, Lt. Dwyer said.
But he stopped short of excluding the man as a suspect Wednesday, saying, "I'm not ready to exonerate him or any other person at this point in time."
Contacted by telephone at his home, the man said, "I didn't have anything to do with it (Ms. Durkin's slaying). I've fulfilled my obligations, and I'm just trying to get on with my life."
Meanwhile, a judge has sealed a search warrant, meaning that a list of items seized from the 14th Avenue residence will remain undisclosed, Lt. Dwyer said.
Relatives describe Ms. Durkin as fun-loving and warm-hearted, but said she was addicted to crack cocaine.
They said they fear her drug addiction may have contributed to her demise.
Relatives said they last saw her Feb. 18 at her sister's home in Madison Township, but police say they have retraced her steps up until about Feb. 21 in downtown Middletown, where she frequented establishments on Central Avenue.
Anyone with information about the case should call the sheriff's office at 887-3031.
