Searching for answers: Why did Chad Doerman allegedly murder his three young sons?

Searching for answers: Why did Chad Doerman allegedly murder his three young sons?

CINCINNATI, Ohio (WKRC) — Six days after 32-year-old Chad Doerman allegedly lined up his three little boys -- just 3, 4 and 7 years old -- and shot and killed them with a rifle, one burning question still remains: Why?

In an attempt to make sense of the senseless, WKRC has several more questions. If they can be answered, there might be a better way to understand the horrific event.

First, was there a pattern of general violence?

WKRC filed an open records request with the Clermont County Communications Center to see if there had been calls related to Chad Doerman or his address in the past three years. The communications center had only dispatched the police to the Doerman home three times since 2020. One of those times was last week when the three boys were shot to death.

Our search of court records showed only traffic violations in Clermont County, with the exception of a criminal damaging complaint when Doerman was 18. There was also a domestic violence case two years later that showed he choked his dad. Both of those cases were dismissed.

Second, was there child neglect or abuse?

A neighbor was interviewed by WKRC who said he allegedly saw Doerman lose his temper with his kids. "He tossed a couple of them around in the yard one day,” said the neighbor.

We filed a records request with Clermont County Children's Protective Services to see if there were any referrals, requests, complaints or calls referring to Chad Doerman or his address. The answer was, “There are no records responsive to your request."

Doerman certainly appears to be like any other dad on his Facebook page. He had posted a picture of him and his kids just four days before the shooting.

Third, was there a pattern of financial issues?

We searched the County Auditor's website and found Doerman had purchased his converted manufactured home on three acres in 2016 for $75,000. Usually, if there were mortgage issues, you would see a lapse in property tax payments. The Doerman family was up-to-date through 2023.

Lastly, was there evidence of mental illness?

WKRC spoke with Diane Wright, LISW-S, of Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services.

"The research shows, at least those who have engaged in mass shootings, have almost always had multiple issues that they were upset about and then a crisis they couldn't manage," Wright said.

WKRC mentioned, “This appears to be sociopathic behavior, yet in court, we see real tears, we see him break down and cry, which doesn't seem to go along with that."

"And the key word you use is 'Seems’,” says Wright. “And without doing formal assessments, without knowing someone better, we wouldn't be able to know."

Through records requests, there is no current document that shows the police arrested Doerman or put a 72-hour psych-hold on him.

It should also be noted, at this point, Doerman has only been arrested for allegedly murdering his children, he has not yet been indicted.

A Grand Jury meets on Thursdays in Clermont County. So, it's possible WKRC will know more about an indictment Thursday or Friday.