Amber Alert: Father Dies After Kidnapping Daughter

Russel Grant 30 May 2025

What drives a parent to such extremes? The tragic story of Charles Alexander, a 43-year-old father who died in a police shooting after abducting his daughter, underscores the devastating consequences of custody disputes taken to the brink. This incident, unfolding across multiple Ohio counties, leaves behind a web of unanswered questions and a heartbroken family grappling with loss.

The events began to unfold on November 11th, around 3 p.m., in the quiet town of Empire, Ohio. Following a heated argument and physical altercation at a relatives house, Alexander took his daughter, a child he did not have legal custody of. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Department received the call, with Sheriff Fred Abdalla confirming Alexanders flight from the scene with the child. Authorities swiftly issued an Amber Alert, a desperate plea echoing across the state, seeking information on the missing girl and her father.

Full Name:	Charles Alexander
Age at Time of Death:	43
Date of Birth:	July 28, 1957 (Conflicting information exists regarding his age)
Place of Birth:	Information unavailable (Galveston, Texas mentioned in source material but requires verification)
Custody Status of Daughter:	Non-custodial
Involvement in NFL:	Conflicting information exists (Source material mentions an NFL player with the same name and birthdate, but verification is needed to confirm if this is the same individual).
Date of Incident:	November 11th
Location of Abduction:	Empire, Ohio
Location of Death:	Arby's parking lot, Eastpointe Drive, Medina Township (near Cleveland), Ohio
Cause of Death:	Police shooting
Reference:	Legacy.com Obituaries (For general obituary searches, not specific to this Charles Alexander without further information).

Brunswick Police located Alexanders vehicle around 8 p.m. that evening. A traffic stop was initiated, but Alexander fled, intensifying the manhunt. The pursuit led authorities to Medina County, where the situation reached a tragic climax. In the parking lot of an Arbys on Eastpointe Drive in Medina Township, a confrontation with law enforcement ended with Alexander being fatally shot by an officer. The Medina County Coroner confirmed his death, pronounced at 9 p.m. The specific agency the officer belonged to remains undisclosed due to the involvement of multiple agencies at the scene.

Amid the chaos and heartbreak, there was a glimmer of hope: Alexanders daughter was found safe and physically unharmed. While spared physical injury, the emotional scars of this traumatic experience are undoubtedly profound. She will need support and understanding as she navigates the complex emotions surrounding her fathers actions and his ultimate demise.

The discrepancies surrounding Charles Alexanders age and possible connection to the NFL remain. Source material references a former Cincinnati Bengals running back with the same name and birthdate, but further investigation is needed to ascertain if this is indeed the same individual. The confusion only adds another layer of complexity to an already heart-wrenching story.

The investigation continues, aiming to shed light on the circumstances that led to this devastating outcome. What triggered the initial altercation? What drove Alexander to flee with his daughter? And what precisely transpired in that Arbys parking lot that led to a life being taken? These are crucial questions that investigators will grapple with in the coming days and weeks.

This case stands as a grim reminder of the fragility of families and the urgent need for resources and support for those struggling with custody disputes. It serves as a tragic testament to the devastating consequences that can unfold when emotions escalate and desperation takes hold.