Sickler’s death has been ruled a homicide by the Butler County Coroner’s Office.
Tina Grzelak, Sickler’s mother, said her son struggled with addiction to both crystal methamphetamine and heroin. Sickler had past arrests for drug abuse, domestic violence and OVI, according to Hamilton Municipal Court records. In Wednesday’s grand jury report, a petty theft charge against Sickler for an incident in November was referred back to municipal court.
“He was a very loving boy. He cheered everybody up when he walked into the room,” Grzelak said.. “He had his bad days. He just couldn’t beat the addiction.”
Grzelak said Sickler leaves behind two sons.
In a 911 call obtained by the Journal-News, a man who identifies himself as William Sickler, Billy’s uncle, tells dispatchers, “somebody shot my nephew. I am in the back yard.”
William Sickler said he heard yelling and ran outside.
“Some guys shot him and they took off running down the alley,” he told dispatchers. William Sickler said there were three suspects, but he had no description and only heard them running away.
William Sickler tells dispatchers that his nephew is not breathing and also says he feels a pulse when the dispatcher tries to instruct him on how to perform CPR.
When a police officer arrives, William Sickler says, “they didn’t get his money.”
He added he thought the suspects tried to rob his nephew.
Wednesday’s fatal shooting is the fifth homicide in Hamilton in 2015. Three remain unsolved.
Those with information on the shooting are asked to call Hamilton Police Department detectives at 513-868-5811, ext. 2002
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