Murder suspect kept in jail

PORT CLINTON — A judge set a bond of more than $1 million for an Ottawa County man accused of killing his wife. John Eichner, 43, of Genoa, is charged with one count each of murder and tampering with evidence along with four counts of child endangering. He allegedly killed his wife, Amber Eichner, some time between April 14-16. Family members reported Amber Eichner missing on April 23. A investigation involving local, state and federal agencies led to John Eichner's arrest Tuesday. Amber Eichner Facebook photo He abandoned their four children with a relative in Tennessee on April 21; Authorities were then led to south Toledo, where human remains were discovered earlier this week. They believe the remains are of Amber Eichner, but DNA testing to confirm that is still pending. John Eichner appeared for an arraignment in Ottawa County's municipal court Wednesday afternoon. He told Judge Louis Wargo III that he wanted extra time to speak with a court-appointed attorney, and the judge pushed back his arraignment to Friday afternoon. County prosecutor James VanEerten said John Eichner has a "significant" criminal history that included sex offenses that required him to register as a sex offender. Wargo set Eichner's bond at $1.07 million. After the bond was announced, applause broke out from family and friends gathered in the courtroom as John Eichner was led out by a deputy; the judge waved his hand to discourage the crowd from reacting to the announcement. John Eichner, 43, of Genoa, in the Ottawa County Municipal Court on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Register photo/BRANDON ADDEO After the hearing, Genoa police Chief Matthew Herrig expressed thanks to Amber's family, who spread the word about her disappearance on social media through missing person flyers, which helped generate leads for investigators. "I can't thank the family enough for the effort they put in," Herrig said. "I'm grateful of how quick we were able to come to some sort of resolution." Amber Eichner's cousin, Amanda Kimbrell, thanked members of the community for their help. Kimbrell said Amber Eichner was a victim of domestic violence and encouraged other domestic violence victims to seek help. It's the first reported homicide in Genoa since the 1980s, Herrig said. Countywide, there have not been any reported homicides in the past six to seven years, county Sheriff Steve Levorchick said. Levorchick praised the collaborative effort of all agencies involved in the investigation — including Genoa police, members of the Ottawa County Drug Task Force, the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. "I'd personally like to applaud all those agencies for coming together and pursuing justice for Amber Eichner," he said.