Wife indicted in husband’s murder; son also in jail

Charles S. Zan II was stabbed more than 40 times and died Saturday, Oct. 17.

Pandora Jean Zan of Miamisburg and her son Cody Henderson (right) of Middletown. Henderson is in the Montgomery County Jail, accused of murdering Pandora Jean Zan's husband and his stepfather Charles S. Zan II. Pandora has been indicted on eight felony counts related to the stabbing.

Contributed photos Pandora Jean Zan of Miamisburg and her son Cody Henderson (right) of Middletown. Henderson is in the Montgomery County Jail, accused of murdering Pandora Jean Zan's husband and his stepfather Charles S. Zan II. Pandora has been indicted on eight felony counts related to the stabbing.

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By Kristin McAllister, Staff Writer Updated 8:52 PM Thursday, May 6, 2010

DAYTON — Seven months after a Miamisburg man was found in his bed dead of multiple stab wounds, both his wife and stepson sit in the Montgomery County Jail accused of his murder.

A Montgomery County grand jury on Thursday, May 6, indicted Pandora Jean Zan, 45, of Dayton on eight felony charges in the Oct. 17 murder of her husband, Charles Zan II, 45.

Pandora Zan was indicted on three counts of complicity to commit aggravated murder, two counts of complicity to commit aggravated robbery, two counts of tampering with evidence and one count of obstructing justice. If convicted, she could face life without parole. She is scheduled to be arraigned May 11.

Zan was arrested April 27 at her King Avenue apartment in Dayton and has been held since on a $2 million bond in the county jail.

Her son, Cody Wayne Henderson, 19, of Madison Twp. in Butler County, was charged Oct. 21 with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault and tampering with evidence. He remains in county jail on a $1 million bond. A grand jury is expected to consider his case later this month, the prosecutor’s office said.

Officer Michael Zan, Charles Zan’s younger brother and a member of the Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland, said Thursday his family suspected Pandora Zan was involved in the murder. He said the indictment against Zan “has been a long time” coming.

Pandora Zan called 911 to report a break-in at the couple’s apartment at the Guest Suites in Miamisburg. Charles Zan was found dead in the couple’s bed. Authorities said he died from more than 40 stab wounds.

Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. credited Miamisburg Police for their work on the investigation that led to charge Pandora Zan and her son.

“Pandora Zan will now be held accountable to the maximum extent of the law for her actions,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-9338 or kmcallister@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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