UTICA — An apparent murder-suicide Sunday night has left a quiet Utica neighborhood stunned. A St. Louisville man and his ex-wife were found dead in a home on the 500 block of Jefferson Street Sunday night. The Utica Police Department issued a statement Monday stating an investigation determined Lynette Ricketts, 40, who lived at the Jefferson Street home, was shot to death by her former husband, Randy Ricketts, 49, of Dog Hollow Road, St. Louisville. Randy Ricketts then turned the gun on himself.
According to court documents, the couple finalized the dissolution of a 17-year marriage less than four months ago in Licking County, and shared the parenting responsibilities of their two children.
A News search of Licking County and Knox County court records found no history of domestic violence or other criminal convictions involving Randy Ricketts.
Neighbors who live near the house on Jefferson Street where Lynette Ricketts lived with her teenage twin boys, said the family was quiet.
“Just good people,” is how Marjorie Layton, who lives a few doors down from the Ricketts’ residence, described the mother and her two sons. Layton said she had never seen Randy Ricketts around the home of his ex-wife since Lynette moved in sometime earlier this year.
“We never saw any trouble,” said Layton. She described a working single mother and two active teens she called “good fellows.”
Candy Bryant, who lives two doors down from the Ricketts, said she had never noticed any trouble at the house until police cruisers and EMS personnel rushed to the property Sunday night.
“We saw the police cars and people out everywhere,” Bryant said.
Harold Humbertson, who lives across the street, said his son-in-law, Utica Police Chief Robert Curtis, was visiting with the Humbertsons Sunday evening.
Humbertson said when he walked Curtis outside “to bid them good evening,” he heard shouting. It was around 9 p.m.
Hearing hysterics from across the street, Humbertson went in to call for more assistance while Curtis went to help. “I couldn’t tell much what they were saying the way they were crying,” Humbertson said.
Humbertson, who has lived on the street for over 40 years, said a neighbor from up the street had gone to check on Lynette, and discovered the bodies.
On Monday, Humbertson used a leafblower to finish some fall yardwork as cars drove down his street in a steady stream, slowing in front of the home numbered 566.
He said the line of traffic past his house had been steady all day. Groups of young people on their way home from school walked slowly by, looking toward the silent house.
“There is never any trouble here,” Layton said, as neighbors met in front lawns to talk about Sunday night’s tragedy. “I’ve lived here over 50 years. This is a good neighborhood.”
