Shawn Grate Murders: Candice Cunningham & Rebekah Leicy Case

23 May, 2025

Can a monster truly hide in plain sight, weaving a web of deceit and violence while appearing ordinary? The case of Shawn Grate, a convicted killer who preyed on vulnerable women in Ohio, offers a chilling testament to the capacity for evil to exist within the mundane.

The shadow of Shawn Grate looms large over Mansfield, Ohio, a community grappling with the heinous crimes committed within its borders. The name itself now evokes a sense of dread, a reminder of the lives cruelly extinguished and the devastating impact on families and the community at large. Grate's methodical acts, fueled by a twisted sense of control and depravity, reveal the darkness that can fester beneath the surface of even the most familiar settings. His victims, primarily women struggling with their own personal challenges, were lured into his grasp, their lives ending in brutal acts of strangulation.

Grate, at 43, stood accused of a staggering 14 counts related to his crimes. His path of destruction included the deaths of Candice Cunningham, 29, and Rebekah Leicy, 31. The details of his crimes paint a picture of calculated evil, with each victim's final moments marked by violence and fear. Grate confessed to the murders, providing the authorities with a chilling account of his actions. The discovery of the bodies, the investigations, and the eventual convictions laid bare the chilling reality of Grate's predatory nature.

The discovery of Candice Cunningham's body in a wooded area near Mansfield, Ohio, in September 2016, was a turning point. The Richland County Coroner's Office confirmed the remains were those of Cunningham, who had grown up in Canton, Ohio. The grim discovery brought closure to the family and friends who had desperately sought answers to her sudden disappearance. The revelations also served to confirm the horrifying truth about Grates crimes, linking him to a series of previously unsolved cases.

Grate's actions were not spontaneous; they were the culmination of a dark and twisted mindset. His acquaintance with Leicy and Cunningham, and the manner in which he ensnared them, pointed to a deliberate strategy of targeting vulnerable individuals. The locations where the bodies were found in wooded areas, near ravines suggest careful planning to conceal his crimes. The meticulous planning of each murder reveals a calculated killer who took pleasure in his acts.

In Mansfield, Ohio, at a vacant county home near the ravine where Candice Cunningham's body was found, Grate confessed to the authorities. The confession shed light on the location of one of the many crime scenes and the sinister game that Grate played.

The case of Shawn Grate highlights the tragic consequences of violence and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals. The story serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the lasting impact of such acts. It stands as a warning, urging communities to be aware of the hidden dangers that lurk in their midst.

The details surrounding the case are fragmented, coming together to form the disturbing narrative of a killer's actions. Grates interview with a local TV reporter, in which he confessed to killing five women, offers further insight into the scope of his crimes.

The justice system worked to bring Grate to account for his crimes. Judge Brent Robinson sentenced Grate to life without parole for the aggravated murder of Leicy and a 15 years to life sentence for the murder of Cunningham. The sentences, while not able to bring the victims back, did provide some solace to the families. The plea agreement, which included Grate's guilty plea to the murder charges, offered a measure of closure to the families, and a guarantee that Grate would spend his remaining days behind bars.

The crimes, the court proceedings, and the impact on the community, all point to the need for continuous vigilance and compassion for others. The case continues to be a stark reminder of the capacity for evil and the importance of community vigilance in preventing such tragedies. The story, a complex interplay of violence, deception, and the pursuit of justice, will continue to haunt those touched by its devastating repercussions.

The timeline of events began in March 2015, when Rebekah Leicy's body was discovered in an Ashland County woods. The initial ruling was that her death was accidental. Later, Candice Cunningham's body was discovered in Mansfield, Ohio, in the following week.

The grim realities of the case have left an indelible mark on the community, prompting discussions on a need for improved methods of identifying the perpetrators of violent crimes, as well as providing adequate support to the survivors and the victims' families.

Candice Cunningham, aged 29, found herself in a dark tale that began when she relocated to Mansfield, Ohio. Despite relocating in hopes of making a fresh start, the new life was to be cut short. When she vanished, her loved ones were unable to contact her, and it appeared as though she was never reported missing.

Category	Details
Full Name	Shawn Grate
Age	43 (at the time of charges)
Convictions	Murder, Aggravated Murder
Victims	Candice Cunningham, Rebekah Leicy, and others (confessed to five slayings)
Method of Killing	Strangulation
Location of Crimes	Richland County, Ashland County, Ohio
Sentencing	Life without parole (for aggravated murder), 15 years to life (for murder)
Known For	Serial killer; confessed to multiple murders; targeting vulnerable women.
Key Actions	Confessed to murders; pleaded guilty; targeted women.
Link for Reference	Mansfield News Journal - Shawn Grate

The investigation into the case revealed a pattern of violent behavior and a deliberate targeting of women. As the authorities began to piece together the evidence, the details of Grate's crimes became clear. The locations, the methods, and the victims all fit a distinct profile, revealing Grates pattern.

Shawn Grates actions, the devastating consequences for the victims' families, and the ongoing impact on the community serve as a cautionary tale. The case continues to be a reminder that even in the most ordinary settings, darkness can lurk.

Remains identified as Candice Cunningham in Grate case

Details

Candice Cunningham How Did She Die? Who Killed Her?

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