The trial of a man accused of beating a girl to death has begun

KENTON, Ohio. It’s been more than three months since the brutal crime that shocked many in Stark County, the killing of 24-year-old Rachel Sheridan, who was reported missing by her family before her body was found in a dumpster.

The suspect, Shawn Gow, will appear in Stark County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday.

Jury selection will begin in the morning and Frank Forcione’s opening statement will be held in the afternoon.

Gow faces several charges, including murder, felonious assault, burglary and abuse of a corpse. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Sheridan’s brother, Jonathan Gillilan, experienced a range of emotions following her death, including heartache, anger and anxiety.

“It was just hell and back,” Gillilan said. “She’s still my sister. I loved her. I wanted to be around her as much as possible.”

Family members told News 5 that Sheridan was generous and loved cats and sunflowers.

“People who knew her, and who I know, talked about how kind she was, how nice she was to be around and how she lit up a room when she walked in.”

In early July, Sheridan did not show up for work. Her worried mother contacted the Stark County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators found evidence of a crime in her Plain Township apartment.

“There was evidence of foul play. Detectives determined that Sheridan was murdered in the apartment,” Sheriff George Mayer said during a July news conference.

However, she was not there. Paramedics later found her body in a trash can at Mother Goose Land Park in Canton.

The body of the missing woman was found by Canton paramedics

Detectives say Gow bludgeoned Sheridan to death and then hid her remains. Gou was arrested at a homeless shelter.

Gillilan is disgusted at the thought that anyone could commit such violence.

“The mind is a disgusting place, and for someone who doesn’t really show remorse after the fact, it’s disgusting,” he said.

Gow pleaded not guilty to murder. He is being represented by an attorney with the Stark County Public Defender’s Office, according to court records.

Gillilan and other family members plan to attend the entire hearing.

“I hope that over the next day, two, three, however long the trial takes, we’ll do everything we can to get it resolved and quickly,” Gillilan said.

Court records show Gow had outstanding warrants for murder, including domestic violence and criminal damage/endangerment charges involving Sheridan.

Gow slashed holes in the victim’s tires and threatened to seriously harm her, according to the records.

Family and friends believe Sheridan fell into a cycle of domestic violence.

“I think every conversation we had ended up saying you need to get away from him, and she knew that,” family friend Holly Clapsaddle told News 5 over the summer.

As Gillilan prepares to go through a difficult trial, he hopes that justice will be served for his sister.

“She didn’t deserve anything close to what she got.”

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