A Columbus woman accused of fatally drugging four men and attempting to kill a fifth is set to stand trial after being deemed competent by a judge.
Rebecca Auborn, 34, was ruled fit to face the charges against her by Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Karen Phipps. The decision means the trial can move forward, though a court date has not yet been set.
Auborn was indicted in October 2023 on nearly 30 charges, including multiple counts of murder, aggravated robbery, and felonious assault.
Authorities allege that between January and June 2023, she met clients for sex in Columbus, then drugged them with fentanyl in order to rob them. A fifth victim survived an alleged overdose attempt in December 2022.
The victims have been identified as Wayne Akin, 64; Robert Snoke, 54; Joseph Crumpler, 30; and Guy Renda Jr., 42. Their deaths were ruled overdoses by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.
Auborn has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her attorney has not publicly commented on the case.
The case has been a high-profile one in Columbus, drawing attention to issues of drug-related crimes, sex work, and public safety.
The investigation, led by the Columbus Division of Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, connected Auborn to multiple overdoses and robberies. Authorities believe there may be additional victims and continue to seek information regarding Auborn’s activities between December 2022 and August 2023 in the northeast Columbus area.
With the trial ahead, Columbus will be watching closely as the case unfolds, shedding light on the devastating consequences of the opioid crisis and the risks surrounding illicit transactions.
Featured image by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
