- By Shivangi Sharma
- Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ohio authorities say retired Ohio State University professor James S. Hill fatally stabbed his wife after claiming he was ensnared in a sextortion scheme. According to police and court documents cited by The Columbus Dispatch, the 76-year-old told investigators that an unidentified woman he met on a dating app demanded USD 15,000 in Apple gift cards in exchange for not releasing intimate photos he had shared with her. Hill said he felt trapped by the escalating threats and believed he had no way out.
Wife Fatally Stabbed After Extortion Demand
On Sunday, Hill allegedly stabbed his wife, 64-year-old Mary Hill, in the chest with a kitchen knife inside their Upper Arlington home. As reported by ABC 6, he apologised to her and held her in his arms as she died.
Authorities say Hill then made a brief, chilling 911 call lasting just 19 seconds, giving his address, requesting an ambulance and police, and ending the call without further explanation. Officers arrived to find Mary unresponsive and Hill suffering from apparent self-inflicted injuries.
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Suspect Claims He Planned To Kill Himself As Well
Court documents indicate Hill confessed to exchanging nude photos with a woman he met online. On the morning of November 9, the woman allegedly threatened to expose the images unless he paid $15,000. Hill reportedly told investigators he “could only think of one way out,” believing he needed to kill his wife and himself.
He has been charged with aggravated murder. It remains unclear whether Hill has entered a plea or secured legal counsel. The Upper Arlington Police Division has not confirmed whether the case is officially being investigated as sextortion. A department spokesperson said that all information they are prepared to release is already reflected in court documents. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is not involved in the investigation.
Experts Warn Of Growing Sextortion Threat
As the case draws attention to the dangers of online scams, Sgt. Joe Smith of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force highlighted common warning signs of sextortion. These include sudden, rapidly intensifying online relationships and immediate financial or personal demands.
