The Case of the Doerman Sons

On June 15, 2023, Chad Doerman killed his three young sons at the family's home in Monroe Township, Clermont County, Ohio. Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3, were shot by their father. Doerman pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Chad Doerman lived with his wife, Sarah, and their three sons in Monroe Township, Ohio. The boys were Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3. On June 15, 2023, Doerman shot his three sons outside the family's home. His wife and surviving daughter witnessed the aftermath. The youngest child, Chase, was initially found alive and was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries. The killings shocked the local community because all three victims were young children murdered by their own father in a single incident.

The shootings occurred at the family's residence in Monroe Township. Emergency services were called after reports that multiple children had been shot. Deputies arrived at the property and found the three boys suffering from gunshot wounds. Doerman was arrested at the scene and taken into custody without further incident.

Investigators determined that Doerman had deliberately killed all three of his sons. The investigation included examination of the crime scene, witness accounts and evidence recovered from the property. Prosecutors subsequently charged Doerman with three counts of aggravated murder, along with other charges relating to the shootings. Doerman initially pleaded not guilty, but in August 2023 he changed his plea to guilty to all three aggravated-murder charges, avoiding a capital trial and the possibility of a death sentence.

Chad Doerman pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder in August 2023. He was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, one for each of his sons. The convictions formally established Doerman as responsible for the murders of Clayton, Hunter and Chase.

The case involved three victims killed during a single incident, so the three boys are retained together in one case file rather than being entered as separate cases.