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Man wanted for questioning in case of body found near state park

Photo from facebook page Nikki Berry, 29, of Columbus.

Richard A. Snyder, 42, of Columbus is wanted for questioning in connection in the death of Nicole Barry, 29, of Columbus. Barry was found Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, in the wood near Caeser Creek Park. Her body was discovered by hunters in the public hunting area of Caesar Creek Park located on Furnas-Oglesby Road off Ohio 73. Provided by the Warren County Sheriff's Office.

Contributed photo Richard A. Snyder, 42, of Columbus is wanted for questioning in connection in the death of Nicole Barry, 29, of Columbus. Barry was found Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, in the wood near Caeser Creek Park. Her body was discovered by hunters in the public hunting area of Caesar Creek Park located on Furnas-Oglesby Road off Ohio 73. Provided by the Warren County Sheriff's Office.

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By Michael D. Pitman Updated 11:00 PM Friday, November 25, 2011

MASSIE TWP., Warren County — Police are looking for a 42-year-old Columbus man for questioning in the death of a 29-year-old woman found near Caesar Creek Lake.

Investigators want to question Richard A. Snyder about the death of Nicole Berry, whose body was found at around 10:30 a.m. Thursday by hunters in a public hunting area on Furnas-Oglesby Road off Ohio 73 near Caesar Creek Lake.

Berry’s death is being investigated as a possible homicide, according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and is being done in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Police have spelled Berry’s name with an “a”, but the family says its with an “e”).

Details of the autopsy, including how Berry died, were not released by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Montgomery County deferred commenting on the investigation to Warren County.

Snyder, whose last known address is 4310 Charlotte Road in Obetz, is described as a 6-foot, 225-pound white male. Investigators say he was last seen in a hotel in the Greater Cincinnati area but are not releasing the name of the hotel. They also say Snyder is driving a 1997 white Chevrolet Camaro with license plates AAAND88.

Berry, whose family called her Nikki, was supposed to be taking a trip with Snyder to a casino in southeast Indiana to gamble for a couple of days, said William Berry, one of her older brothers. But he doesn’t know why she was at Caesar’s Creek.

“That wasn’t the plan that we know of,” he said. The family last spoke with Nicole at 3:24 p.m. Wednesday, he said.

According to Delaware County court records, in December 2005 Snyder was charged with one count of aggravated robbery and one count of robbery. In April 2006 he was found not guilty for aggravated robbery but guilty on the robbery charge. He was sentenced to two years in prison.

William Berry said Snyder fought with his sister frequently and the family asked why she stayed with him.

“I’m glad she was found,” he said. “I’m grateful for the hunters that were out there. If they hadn’t found her, I don’t know if they would have ever found her anytime soon.”

One of the last postings on Berry’s Facebook page reads: “I’m so happy first and most importantly I’m with the love of my life and my dream guy how many women get that! I am so excited Rick and I plan on getting married this winter and if ya (sic) think things couldn’t get better, well they did he just bought me a home so we will be spending the holidays in our new home with our wonderful children just hope Christian and lil (sic) Rick can spend them with us.”

William Berry said his sister was very loving and good-hearted. He said she had difficulties she was trying to overcome, but tried to be the best mom she could.

“She was loved very much,” he said.

Berry is separated from another man. Floyd Hayhurst of Orient said Berry is his daughter-in-law, but has been separated from his son for some time. He said Berry lived with Snyder in the condo “directly behind us.”

Hayhurst says he and his wife have custody of her three younger children, ages 8, 5 and 2. Berry’s parents have custody of a 14-year-old, he said.

“We’ve had custody for the grandchildren for a couple years now,” he said.

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