Howard, Ohio | November 10, 2025 – It has been fifteen years since the quiet town of Howard, Ohio, was rocked by a tragic event that would forever change its community. On November 10, 2010, the lives of 32-year-old Tina Herrmann, her two children, Sarah (13) and Kody Maynard (11), and their close family friend Stephanie Sprang (41), were violently cut short, leaving behind a case that still haunts many.
What Happened?
The nightmare began on November 10, 2010, when Tina failed to show up for her shift at the Dairy Queen where she worked. Concerned for her well-being, a coworker contacted authorities, prompting a welfare check at Tina’s home. What they found inside was chilling: clear signs of violence, bloodstains, but no signs of Tina, her children, or Stephanie.
A frantic search began, and investigators soon uncovered the involvement of Matthew J. Hoffman, a 30-year-old unemployed tree trimmer with a dark past. Hoffman’s bizarre behavior, combined with his troubling history, quickly drew attention from the authorities.
A Shocking Discovery
Days later, investigators made an eerie discovery: Hoffman’s house was filled with piles of leaves — a peculiar and unsettling sight. It was then that they found Sarah Herrmann, Tina’s 13-year-old daughter, alive but traumatized. Sarah’s survival amidst the horrors she had endured was nothing short of miraculous.
Further investigation revealed the dark depths of Hoffman’s obsession with trees and decay, a fixation that seemed to play a central role in the brutal events. Hoffman’s journals, recovered during the search, painted a chilling portrait of his warped psyche.
In the wooded area nearby, police later found the bodies of Tina, Kody, and Stephanie, concealed in a hollow tree — a grim and final resting place. With the discovery of the victims, Hoffman was arrested and confessed to the murders, providing the missing pieces to this horrific puzzle.
The Aftermath and Transformation
Following the discovery of these tragic events, the property where Hoffman once lived, a place marked by tragedy and pain, was transformed. The house, once the scene of unspeakable horrors, was renovated and turned into affordable housing for women. This transformation became a beacon of hope for the community, a way to reclaim a place of horror and turn it into something positive, meaningful, and supportive.
While the physical space has been transformed, the emotional and psychological scars from that fateful night linger. The Howard murders remain one of Ohio’s most notorious and haunting cases. In the years since, the investigation has faded into the background of the public’s consciousness, but for those who lived through it — and for the families of the victims — the trauma is far from forgotten.
A Community Forever Changed
The deaths of Tina Herrmann, Kody Maynard, Sarah Herrmann, and Stephanie Sprang were devastating for the Howard community. Their murders still evoke a deep sense of grief, and the senseless loss of life serves as a reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike, even in the most peaceful of places.
As time passes, the victims’ families continue to carry the weight of their loss, while the community of Howard has slowly begun to heal. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the strength of resilience, and the transformation of Hoffman’s old property into a space of hope offers a ray of light in what otherwise remains a dark chapter in the town’s history.
Reflection
Fifteen years on, the Howard murders remain one of Ohio’s most haunting cases. With the transformation of Hoffman’s property, the town has sought to turn a place of horror into one of healing. However, the emotional toll of what occurred still resonates deeply within the community, as residents continue to reflect on the profound loss of four lives that will never be forgotten.
