Karen Johnson

They learned that there were some really bizarre purchases a short time before the fire started.

They learned that there were some really bizarre purchases a short time before the fire started.

Yeah, it was in 2019 is when the name Paul Hicks first came on my radar. And it was after the Claremont County, Ohio Sheriff's Office had released a video to us. of this massive fire inside a house. But what caught my attention even more was what we saw before the fire. And we saw two people, a male and a female, walking into the house. This woman had long curly hair. They had gas cans.

Yeah, it was in 2019 is when the name Paul Hicks first came on my radar. And it was after the Claremont County, Ohio Sheriff's Office had released a video to us. of this massive fire inside a house. But what caught my attention even more was what we saw before the fire. And we saw two people, a male and a female, walking into the house. This woman had long curly hair. They had gas cans.

They started clearing the house, the electronics, the TVs. So it appeared maybe it was a robbery. Then they doused it and lit the house on fire.

They started clearing the house, the electronics, the TVs. So it appeared maybe it was a robbery. Then they doused it and lit the house on fire.

He said, that's my ex-girlfriend. Looks just like her. The hair. And at first, investigators believed it was probably her. They questioned her. But there was far more to this than that. Oh, so much more. The ex-girlfriend is saying, absolutely not. You know, we broke up. I have no idea what you're talking about. I was not in his house. I had nothing to do with this. Okay, so they believe her.

He said, that's my ex-girlfriend. Looks just like her. The hair. And at first, investigators believed it was probably her. They questioned her. But there was far more to this than that. Oh, so much more. The ex-girlfriend is saying, absolutely not. You know, we broke up. I have no idea what you're talking about. I was not in his house. I had nothing to do with this. Okay, so they believe her.

Yes. It took a lot of investigating, and it actually took a civil suit by all states. Their investigators did so much of the legwork on this and got subpoenas for cell phone records and talked to other associates of Paul Hicks, and they learned that there were some really bizarre purchases a short time before the fire started. What were these bizarre purchases?

Yes. It took a lot of investigating, and it actually took a civil suit by all states. Their investigators did so much of the legwork on this and got subpoenas for cell phone records and talked to other associates of Paul Hicks, and they learned that there were some really bizarre purchases a short time before the fire started. What were these bizarre purchases?

One was a wig that looked identical to his ex-girlfriend's hair. They also noticed a purchase from a company called That's My Face. Oh, my goodness. OK, what is that's my face? Well, that is a company where you could send in photos of someone and you can have a mask made to look like that person. OK, this is crazy.

One was a wig that looked identical to his ex-girlfriend's hair. They also noticed a purchase from a company called That's My Face. Oh, my goodness. OK, what is that's my face? Well, that is a company where you could send in photos of someone and you can have a mask made to look like that person. OK, this is crazy.

Yes. The video surveillance system, in months leading up to the arson, he had purchased a pretty elaborate surveillance system. And he had it, according to investigators, in a firebox. So the cameras would record, and even if the cameras got destroyed, the data would still be collected.

Yes. The video surveillance system, in months leading up to the arson, he had purchased a pretty elaborate surveillance system. And he had it, according to investigators, in a firebox. So the cameras would record, and even if the cameras got destroyed, the data would still be collected.

So that way he can show investigators, hey, I have video proof that two people walked in the house, and one appears to be my ex-girlfriend. So did they think that Paul Hicks himself was wearing the mask then of the ex-girlfriend and the wig or someone else? They do not believe it was Paul Hicks.

So that way he can show investigators, hey, I have video proof that two people walked in the house, and one appears to be my ex-girlfriend. So did they think that Paul Hicks himself was wearing the mask then of the ex-girlfriend and the wig or someone else? They do not believe it was Paul Hicks.

Investigators believe that he hired two people to go in, set the fire to his home, and that way he can frame his ex-girlfriend. The reason why investigators say he tried to frame her was so he can get custody of their child and also for the insurance money. How does it all end then with the fire? Something finally happens criminally? So 2015 is when the fire took place inside the house.

Investigators believe that he hired two people to go in, set the fire to his home, and that way he can frame his ex-girlfriend. The reason why investigators say he tried to frame her was so he can get custody of their child and also for the insurance money. How does it all end then with the fire? Something finally happens criminally? So 2015 is when the fire took place inside the house.

He was indicted in 2019. And finally in 2022, when we thought this case would be going to trial, we learned there's been a plea deal. And all of the felony charges, including the most serious aggravated arson, they were all dropped. And he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of insurance fraud.

He was indicted in 2019. And finally in 2022, when we thought this case would be going to trial, we learned there's been a plea deal. And all of the felony charges, including the most serious aggravated arson, they were all dropped. And he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of insurance fraud.