Yost: Fatal overdose suspect, Rebecca Auborn, fits definition of serial killer

What makes someone a serial killer?

The definition among academics, forensic profilers and psychologists may differ, varying based on the number of people killed, the length of time between deaths and the method used.

But for Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, 33-year-old Rebecca Auborn fits the definition.

"For me, if you’ve got somebody that has a series of killings that are separated in time, they’re a serial killer," Yost told The Dispatch Thursday afternoon. "We have the same MO here. Could there be arguments about whether that fits? Pick your definition, and it fits, or it doesn't."

Auborn is charged in four fatal overdoses and one non-fatal overdose that occurred between December 22 and July 17. She faces multiple counts of murder, involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery, among other charges.

Yost's office announced an indictment against Auborn on Wednesday, saying she met the victims, all of whom were men, for sex. While at hotels, Auborn gave the men fentanyl without their knowledge, resulting in overdoses, investigators said. Auborn then took the men's belongings.

The hotels where these incidents took place are located in the northeast part of Columbus in an area bounded by Interstate 71, Ohio 161, Cleveland Avenue and East 17th Avenue.

The indictment, which contains a total of 28 charges, has the victims' names redacted and does not include specific incident locations.

"We are very concerned that there are other victims out there," Yost said. "Only one of the five survived the encounter, so we’re looking for additional evidence. It’s important for people to come forward and help us hold this individual accountable.

"I’ve never seen a case similar to this in my career, and having talked to colleagues, they haven't seen this kind of thing."

Yost's office conducts multiple operations a year focused on raising awareness of human trafficking and arresting people who are attempting to buy sex. He expressed concern Thursday that Auborn's case may undo some of the work that has been done in changing the thinking about those, particularly women, who are forced or manipulated to participate in prostitution.

"It would be a real injustice if the actions of this individual were an impediment to other survivors of human trafficking. Most of the women who are survivors are victims," he said. "They are not predators, they are the prey of the predators."

Yost said Columbus police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are working together to look into the case, including whether Auborn acted alone.

The attorney general said those who may have survived an encounter with Auborn should not be concerned about prosecution for buying sex.

"We’re interested in holding a killer accountable, that’s our focus," he said.

Those with information should call the Columbus police tip line at 614-645-2228.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner