AMSTERDAM, OH -- 25-year-old Jamie Kelly had only worked at Merrin's Market in Amsterdam for two months or so, and was leaving work after her shift, late Tuesday evening, walking out the back entrance to the mom-and-pop store into the well-lit parking lot. From there, what was probably no different from any other evening changed astoundingly. Kelly was approached, allegedly by 20-year-old Christopher Hightower of Wintersville. Hightower allegedly tried to rob her, then when she refused, Sheriff Fred Abdalla says the man kidnapped her and forced her into her fiance's car, to drive out to a coal field, where he shot her ten times and left her to die.

A man named Ralph Sweat found Jamie Kelly lying alongside County Road 75, Wolf's Run Road, near East Springfield... Sweat took her to his home and called 911. She was flown to Allegheny General Hospital, where she died in surgery. Sheriff Abdalla says it's a miracle Kelly survived long enough to give him valuable information: "She was able to talk with us, give a description of the car, the suspect. To be shot ten times, that young lady had to be in a lot of pain," says the Sheriff, "Allegheny General did tell me it was the worst gunshot victim they'd ever seen."

Co-workers at Merrin's Market remember Jamie Kelly fondly, but say even though their workplace is well-lit with surveillance cameras inside, it was very difficult to come to work just hours after the murder. Says Heidi Culp, with only three weeks after the market, "Yeah, it was scary." Culp and co-worker Janet Vint say they enjoyed Kelly's company. "She was happy-go-lucky, always joking, always smiling," says Vint, "She was a great mom. She always talked about her little girl."

The murder ends one life and likely ruins three others... Her suspected killer, Christopher Hightower, now behind bars and possibly facing the death penalty for aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping... Her fiancee, to whom she was to be married early next year, and the little 5-year-old girl Jamie adored.

The holiday season is full of opportunities for women to be caught alone, after dark. The bottom line, authorities say, is to take the most caution possible. Never walk anywhere at night alone, no matter how well-lit the area, and when it's time to drive away, get in your car and take off. Don't balance the checkbook or do anything else until you've left. And in case you're attacked, never hesitate to scream at the top of your lungs. Plus, don't ever be afraid to seek a police officer if you need an escort.

Family members of Jamie Kelly have set up a collection fund for donations to help her little girl. You can send or drop off donations to: The Jamie Kelly Memorial Fund at the US Bank Hopedale Branch. 159 East Main Street, Hopedale.

--Rick Terry, NEWS 9