Toledo man arraigned in '04 death of girlfriend

12/15/2006

A central-Toledo man appeared in Toledo Municipal Court this morning in connection with the 2004 death of Cori Michelle Key.

Damiene Boles, 34, of 2132 Hawthorne St., who is charged with murder, was ordered to be held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Dec. 20.

Family members of Ms. Key appeared for the court proceeding and expressed relief about arrest.

Mr. Boles is the former boyfriend of Ms. Key. Police believe the murder was motivated by jealousy because she was trying to end their long-term relationship, in which there had been previous domestic violence accusations, Toledo police Sgt. Steve Forrester said.

The body of Ms. Key, 26, was found about 6:30 p.m. July 31, 2004, in her home on Oakwood Avenue. She had been stabbed once in the chest.

The mother of two boys, who was a 1995 graduate of Central Catholic High School, was supposed to go to Canada with friends for her birthday, and they became concerned when they didn't hear from her. Her father went to check on her and found her dead just days before her 27th birthday.

After her death, the city announced a $5,000 reward and this year the Crime Stopper program offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.

Sergeant Forrester said that in many cases Crime Stopper is an invaluable tool, but that was not the case with this investigation.

Mr. Boles had been a suspect since the initial investigation. During the last two weeks, detectives re-interviewed witnesses that revealed new information leading to the arrest of Mr. Boles, the sergeant said.