March 13, 2025 (Thursday)

Discovery of Body: Rosanna Kinsinger, 28, is found dead inside her home on Dye Road in Rutland Township, Meigs County, Ohio.
Discovered By: Mose Troyer, a family friend, checks on her after she wasn’t seen that day.
Scene Details: Rosanna’s body is found alongside her pet goat inside the home. 
Initial Assessment: Meigs County Sheriff’s Office deems the death suspicious.
Autopsy Ordered: Her body is transported to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

March 14 – Early May 2025

• Investigation Ongoing: Detectives conduct interviews, collect evidence, and execute search warrants.
• Person of Interest Identified: 18-year-old Samuel Hochstetler, originally from an Amish community in Kentucky but recently moved to the area, is identified through leads and interviews.

May 5, 2025 (Monday)

Arrest of Samuel Hochstetler:

• Hochstetler is detained, interviewed by detectives, and arrested. Source 
• During a recorded interview with detectives, Samuel Hochstetler gave a detailed statement about the night of Rosanna Kinsinger’s death:
• Entry and Initial Actions: Hochstetler said he entered Kinsinger’s trailer, where she went into her bedroom, lay down, and closed her eyes. He claimed that he then placed a blanket over her head before any sexual activity occurred.
• Language and Terminology: When questioned about the alleged sexual crimes, Hochstetler said he did not understand the word “sex” and instead referred to the act as “breeding.” He insisted that Kinsinger did not resist or say no.
• Prosecutor’s Position: Prosecutors countered that autopsy evidence contradicts Hochstetler’s version, showing that the encounter was not consensual.
• He is formally charged with murder and booked into Gallia County Jail.

May 6, 2025 (Tuesday)

• 11:10 AM: In a Facebook post, the Meigs Sheriff Fitch stated: This case was such a tragedy to those who knew Rosanna. She was a beloved individual in her community.” Detectives have worked around the clock searching for answers and were able to get those answers. Hopefully this investigation helps bring some closure to the victim’s family and on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office we offer our deepest condolences”.  Source 
• 12:30 PM: Arraignment Hearing: Hochstetler is arraigned in Meigs County Court on a single count of murder. Bail is set at $1 million cash-only.  Source 
• In the interview with WSAZ, Mose Troyer said that Samuel Hochstetler recently moved to Ohio, from Kentucky and had been living with him for several months, Rosanna Kinsinger lived directly across the street. On March 13, Troyer said members of the community began to worry after realizing Rosanna hadn’t been seen all day. That evening, he went to check on her and discovered her deceased inside her home—with a goat inexplicably present in the house. Troyer immediately called 911. Reflecting on the experience, he described it as frightening and said it’s unsettling to know he continued living for weeks alongside the man now accused of her murder. “I just wish I could ask him why he did it,” Troyer said.

May 13, 2025 (Tuesday)

Preliminary Hearing: Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley announces that Samuel Hochstetler, 18, of Rutland, Ohio, waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Hochstetler was previously charged with Murder in Meigs County Court in relation to the March 12, 2025 death of Rosanna Kinsinger. This case has been bound over to the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas for consideration by the Grand Jury. Hochstetler’s bond remains at $1,000,000. Source

• Hochstetler waives his right to a preliminary hearing.
• The case is bound over to the Meigs County Grand Jury for further proceedings.
• Dozens of Amish community members attend the courtroom session in support of the Kinsinger family.

May 14, 2025

• Rosanna Kinsinger’s father Moses Kinsinger spoke with WSAZ: Moses Kinsinger shared that “Rosanna was an outgoing, friendly person who liked being around people, and her death was shocking.” He was not aware of any problems between his daughter and the suspect.” “he hopes Hochstetler is repentant, the family wants to forgive him, and through God there is forgiveness.”  Source

May 22, 2025 Grand jury indictment.

• The Meigs County Prosecutor announces a multi-count indictment: Aggravated Murder, Murder, Rape, Kidnapping, and Strangulation, with sexual-motivation and sexually violent predator specifications.

May 23, 2025 Arraignment; plea of Not Guilty.

• Judge Linda Warner advises that, with the specifications, life without parole would be mandatory if convicted. Bond remains at $1,000,000. Official court proceeding.

July 23, 2025 Trial calendar set.

• Pretrial Oct 22 at 11:00 a.m.; final pretrial Nov 25 at 11:00 a.m.; jury trial set for Dec 8, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.Official scheduling reported from court.

Sept 23, 2025

• Suppression hearing (pretrial). Judge Michael Barr hears defense motion to suppress a recorded confession, arguing language/rights comprehension issues.  Court TV
• Detective Sergeant Jason Dyer’s Testimony: Dyer told the court he believed Hochstetler understood his rights, noting that he asked clarifying questions during the interrogation and appeared to comprehend the process. Dyer testified that Hochstetler seemed relieved after confessing, and his demeanor suggested a desire to tell the truth.
• Initial Deflection: Dyer also revealed that Hochstetler initially suggested another man named “Homer” might have been involved, but he later admitted to committing the crime himself.
• Prosecutor James Stanley’s Argument: Stanley maintained that Hochstetler knowingly and voluntarily waived his rights, pointing to his ability to engage in detailed conversation — including discussions of Amish dating customs and religious practices — as evidence of comprehension.
• Courtship Explanation: During the confession, Hochstetler described Amish courtship norms, explaining that potential couples must meet with family present and keep doors open during visits to avoid temptation.
• Understanding of “Rape”: Hochstetler told investigators he did not understand the term “rape,” leading detectives to use his own terminology (“breeding”) when discussing the alleged assault.

Oct 6, 2025 Ruling pending on confession.

• Judge considers whether to toss the confession; report reiterates prosecution’s claim that autopsy evidence contradicts consensual-sex assertions. Official status: no ruling issued as of this date.  Court TV