Zyrian Sky Atha-Arnett is now being held on $900,000 cash bond in the Greene County Jail, charged with felonious assault and two counts of murder in the death of his friend Leonid “Lonya” Clark, who would have turned 27 on Saturday.
Clark’s adoptive parents Eric and Jackie Clark say they want answers, including why anyone would hurt their son.
“We’ve got almost 100 more questions now than before the indictment. Where do you go from being a friend and getting into a spat and not talking to each other to that? I don’t get it,” Eric Clark said.
Greene County Prosecutor Steve Haller clarified the double murder charges against Atha-Arnett.
>> Court records: Phone data shows murder suspect within feet of where body found near Yellow Springs
“This is one murder. I don’t want to confuse anyone on that. It’s just two alternative ways when approaching a trial, presenting evidence to a jury so they have options and alternatives when talking about a motive and purpose,” he said.
Leonid Clark was last seen in January. His body was found April 12 by mushroom hunters by the Little Miami River in the Glen Helen Nature Preserve.
“The autopsy indicated that Mr. Clark suffered multiple stab wounds that resulted in his death,” Sheriff Gene Fischer said.
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Investigators tracked Atha-Arnett’s cellphone to the night Clark went missing. They say he was within 200 feet from where Clark’s body was found. Also, investigators say he returned to the same spot 37 times between January and April.
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Atha-Arnett will be arraigned next Friday in Greene County Common Pleas Court.
Meanwhile, Clark’s family said they plan to celebrate what would have been his 27th birthday on Saturday with cupcakes and a party.
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