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Elijah Ray McCulloch, 22, was charged with aggravated murder and murder in the death of his grandfather, Alexander Metcalf Sr., 69, after Green Township police were called to a home in Hamilton County, Ohio, on Friday, May 15, 2026.

McCulloch has not been convicted of anything, and no disposition has been reported. He was arraigned on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Reports differ on his bond, giving figures of $2 million and $1 million. His defense attorney argued at arraignment that his mental health was a factor and said he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. McCulloch was held at the Hamilton County Justice Center and was due back in court on May 26, 2026. The case was last reported on May 18, 2026. As of late October 2026 no indictment, plea, competency ruling or trial date has been reported, and the charges remain allegations.

The home is in the 6200 block of Sharlene Drive in Green Township, a suburb of Cincinnati. The victim's son, Alexander Metcalf Jr., said McCulloch's father had been found dead a few days earlier and McCulloch was due at a mental health appointment. His grandfather had been staying with him every night because nobody else could. Metcalf Jr. said McCulloch had struggled with his mental health and with addiction for a long time.

McCulloch's sister went to 6203 Sharlene Drive to check on her brother and grandfather after the recent death in the family. She told police she found her grandfather on the ground with a ligature around his neck. McCulloch was gone, but his phone had been left behind. Several nearby schools, including Oak Hills High School and Dulles Elementary, were placed on precautionary lockdowns that were later lifted. According to court documents, McCulloch used a belt to choke his grandfather, then left quickly because he knew police would be called.

Officers, assisted by a Cheviot police K9 unit, found McCulloch less than a mile from the house, off Werk Road. Two detectives later interviewed him at the Green Township Police Department. The time stated aloud in the recording is 1:22 p.m. They read him his Miranda rights, which he waived, and he agreed to talk.

McCulloch told detectives he had left high school after the 10th grade, was working toward a GED and was not employed. Reports of the interview said he admitted using a belt to choke Metcalf. In the recording, he describes the struggle as lasting seconds and says he held the belt tight for seconds. The detectives repeatedly ask why it happened.

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Part 2 of 2 of the recording described above.