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fatal incident
The precise time of the shooting was established as 5:45 p.m. on November 29, 2023, captured by a video camera on Michelle's garage and corroborated by her Life360 app data. She was ambushed while sitting in her vehicle near her mailbox outside her home on Carey Road in Butler Township.
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aftermath
Forensic testing proved that Michelle was shot with a .44 Magnum caliber revolver. While William Long's known gun collection included a .44 Magnum revolver listed in the divorce paperwork, the weapon itself was never recovered; William claimed he sold it at a gun show prior to the incident. However, investigators located a single .44 Magnum round inside his red Dodge Charger
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fatal incident
William Long's alibi—that he was resting at his girlfriend's home on North Market Street during the murder—was directly disproven by digital health app data on his phone, which showed zero movement or steps climbed between 5:22 p.m. and 6:12 p.m. Prosecutors demonstrated that he deliberately left his phone at that property to forge an alibi while driving to ambush Michelle.
Supported by
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OH v. William Long: Deadly Divorce Murder Trial
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prior abuse
Michelle recorded cell phone videos prior to her death detailing domestic abuse, including an incident where William threw a beer on her and told her, "You disappeared on our wedding anniversary. You deserve your [expletive] kicked." Additionally, texts sent a week prior to her death showed William telling her "you will get it soon" and stating that he hoped she would die of cancer.
Supported by
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Ex-husband found guilty of killing Leetonia teacher
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relationship history
Michelle and William P. Long Jr. were married on August 7, 1997, and their marriage lasted over 25 years until its legal termination on April 6, 2023.
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relationship history
The couple had one minor child together, Brandon Kyle Long, born May 21, 2009. Michelle was designated the primary residential parent and legal custodian.
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relationship history
William Long Jr. engaged in severe financial misconduct during the divorce proceedings by cashing in his Vanguard retirement account, valued at $255,540.45, on June 8, 2022. This directly violated a Rule 9.1 Magistrate's Order issued on May 6, 2022, which strictly prohibited both parties from disposing of or moving joint marital assets.
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relationship history
William was twice found in contempt of court during the divorce. The first finding was on December 7, 2022, for violating the asset restraining order. The second finding was issued at trial because he consistently refused to return marital personal property to the residence up until the day of the hearing.
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relationship history
Under the final division of assets, William was ordered to pay the remaining $100,000 from his liquidated Vanguard account directly to Michelle within seven days of the April 25, 2023 filing, under threat of fines and jail time. He was also ordered to pay $750.00 per month in spousal support for 96 consecutive months and $695.66 per month in child support.
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relationship history
Michelle was awarded full title to the three real estate parcels comprising the marital residence on Carey Road in Salem, Ohio, free and clear of any claim from William, as well as an additional real estate property located at 336 Chestnut Street in Lisbon, Ohio. William was ordered to execute quitclaim deeds conveying his interest to her within 30 days.
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relationship history
An official court-ordered appraisal conducted by J. Paul Basinger valued the couple's total marital household goods, vehicles, and equipment at $120,520.00. In the final asset division, William was awarded $92,055.00 worth of this property, which included a dynamic collection of vehicles, tools, parts, and a line item designated as "All Guns and ammunition" valued at $30,945.00.
