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An object that appeared to be a white straw commonly used to ingest narcotics was in her right hand, according to an application for a warrant to search the residence signed by Monroe Sgt. Josh Robertson.
Risner suffered a head injury from a gunshot wound, according to Robertson, who noted that Investigator Debbie Lacey with the Butler County Coroner’s Office examined the body at the scene.
Following an autopsy on Wednesday, the coroner’s office ruled Risner’s death a homicide but did not disclose the cause of death. Her family said they were told the mother of three sons was shot in the back.
Two men were booked into the Butler County Jail within 24 hours of a man finding Risner dead in the residence. Bonds of $1 million were set Thursday for Jordan James Lay, 22, and Nicholas Alan Mattox, 23, who are charged with aggravated murder for allegedly killing Risner.
According to court records, police say Lay confessed to killing Risner.
According to court documents, the Warren County Drug Task Force “has been involved in purchasing narcotics from the deceased over the past few weeks. Monroe officers have stopped vehicles leaving the residence and narcotics were found.”
On Sept. 25, the task force searched the house and seized firearms, drug paraphernalia and approximately one pound of liquid methamphetamine.
Then on Jan. 20, the task force conducted a controlled buy at the residence and purchased approximately 15.3 grams of meth.
One day before Risner was found dead, the task force obtained another search warrant for the residence, which was signed but had not been served.
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The house did not have electricity, but there were closed circuit surveillance cameras surrounding the house and inside.
Taken from the residence during the search were 21 items of evidence including ammunition, a holster, syringes, pipes and scales, a jacketed bullet from the garage, two tablets, tennis shoes, a Sim card, a screw driver, and a plastic vial containing a crystal substance.
Melissa Risner Boggs, Amy’s cousin, said Risner was Madison High School graduate. The following statement from the family was released by Boggs late last week:
“As we learn more details on Amy’s murder, our hearts break a bit more with each detail. We have been officially informed that Amy was shot in the back. While the death of a loved one is never easy, the violence of her death makes it even harder to deal with and try to comprehend. We hope that Amy will be remembered as a fun-loving, spunky, kind-hearted woman that loved her children and family very much.
“We are grateful for the outreach of extended family, friends, and strangers. In the coming days, we will spend time with our loved ones, focusing on more positive days and the memories we have.”
Boggs added that “ prayers and positive thoughts are welcomed and appreciated for all of us involved; no families should have to endure the pain of such a heartbreaking and senseless situation.”
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