ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack held a press conference Monday to announce a significant breakthrough in the three-and-a-half year investigation into the murders of Thomas and Angela Strussion.
The Strussions’ bodies were discovered along with their deceased pets after a fire was reported at their home on Trails End Drive in Belmont, Ohio on September 21, 2021.
After an extensive investigation led by the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, an arrest warrant was issued by a Belmont County grand jury for Andrew Isaac Griffin, 32, of Whitesboro, Oklahoma.
On February 28, 2025, the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office presented the case against Griffin to the grand jury. As a result, he was indicted on multiple counts of aggravated murder.
Griffin was apprehended in a joint operation involving detectives from the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and the Hawaii Police Department in Hilo, Hawaii.
Currently, Griffin remains incarcerated in Hawaii as authorities work through legal procedures to extradite him back to Belmont County, Ohio.
Belmont County Sheriff’s officials emphasized the complexity and dedication involved in the investigation, which spanned multiple states. Detectives conducted numerous witness interviews across the country and followed leads in Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, and Oklahoma. The investigation involved collaboration with the FBI and local law enforcement agencies.
Current Belmont County Sheriff Zusack said the majority of the investigation occurred under former Sheriff Dave Lucas’s tenure, so he invited Lucas to today’s press conference.
“This case required relentless determination from our detectives and the support of numerous agencies. It’s been a long journey, but I always believed our team would see it through,” said former Belmont County Sheriff Lucas, who is now retired.
Lucas expressed his gratitude to both past and present investigators for their unwavering commitment to solving the case.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with relevant information about the murders to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 695-7933 or through the Crime Stoppers Upper Ohio Valley tipline at (877) TIPS4US (877-847-7487).
With Griffin’s extradition process underway, the family of murder victim Thomas Strussion is bracing for the next chapter in their long fight for justice, as the case moves toward trial more than three years after his death.
Lisa Strussion Balog, Thomas’s sister, reflected on the emotional toll her family has endured since September 21, 2021 — the day their lives changed forever.
“It was a huge day, a huge moment,” Balog said, describing Griffin’s arrest and the recent court developments. “Three and a half years we’ve been waiting for this.”
Balog said there hasn’t been a single day that has passed without thoughts of her brother and the tragedy that took him from their family.
“There’s not a day that has gone by since September 21st,” she said. “It’s affected everything — my sleep, my routine — it’s a sickness that just doesn’t go away.”
As the trial looms, Balog admits there’s uncertainty about what lies ahead.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said. “We just lean on each other — my husband, my parents — we’re all in this together. We’re worried, but we’re also passionate about getting justice for Thomas.”
The Strussion family remains steadfast, supporting one another through each step of the legal process as they prepare for the trial, hoping it will bring both answers and accountability.
Sheriff Zusack recognized the following people and agencies for their valuable assistance in this case:
- Belmont County Coroner’s Office
- Belmont County Commissioners
- Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- United States Department of Homeland Security
- FBI Agent Bryan Lacy
- FBI Agent Rachel Butler
- FBI Analyst Brian Warchokak
- LeFlore County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office
- LeFlore County Oklahoma District Attorney’s Office
- The Cold Case Foundation – Greg Cooper & Dean Jackson
- The Cold Case Investigative Research Institute – Sheryl McCullum
- McCurtain County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office
- Detective John Mowrer
- Choctaw County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office
- Hugo Oklahoma Police Dept.
- Detective Bob White
- Hawaii (Hawai’i) County Police Dept.
- Detective Kemo Kelipaakaua
- Retired Belmont County Sheriff David M. Lucas
