A Christmas Day death that police are now calling a homicide is considered to be Columbus' 140th of the year, breaking the previous record of 139 set in 1991.
Police say officers responding to a call on Sigsbee Avenue on the Northeast Side found a woman dead inside of a home. She's identified as Rose Douthitt, 57. Police say her body had "several signs of trauma."
Police did not immediately report any suspects or possible motives.
Columbus homicide Sergeant Dave Sicilian says although killings have become more common, investigators are still respectful of each victim and their family.
"They have a mother and father and sisters and brothers. So we are very sensitive to that," Sicilian told reporters on Tuesday.
Sicilian says officers strive to stay professional, but it's impossible to completely detach themselves from the humanity of the situation.
"We're sad to see (families') response. It's terrible to investigate. It's the most horrible, awful thing to tell a family member that someone has been killed."
Police blame the spike in violence on several factors, including the opioid epidemic and more shots being fired during crimes.
