Cleveland, OH
Obituary for Ellen Rebecca Baker | Baird Funeral Home
Ellen Rebecca Baker, age 27, of Cleveland, OH passed away August 25, 2025. She was born on November 15, 1997 in Indianapolis, IN to Paul D. and Denise D. (McDonald) Baker.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brother Max (Grace) Baker of Kingston, TN; paternal grandparents: David and Becky Baker of New Philadelphia, OH; maternal grandparents: Rev. Ken and Barb McDonald of St. Paris, OH; and paternal great grandmother: Naomi Baker of Dover, OH; and several aunts, uncles, and much-loved cousins. Ellen was also very excited to become Aunt Ellen to a niece in October. Her family takes great comfort in knowing that she is spending eternity in heaven with Jesus.
Ellen was a graduate of Gorham Fayette High School in Fayette, OH. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, and a Master of Social Work from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. While at MVNU, she was given The School of Christian Ministry Service Above Self award. She currently served the City of Cleveland as Senior Strategist for the Department of Community Development’s Asset Redevelopment office, bringing her passion and commitment to elevate the voices of residents who would be impacted by City projects.
Ellen attended St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland. She loved the outdoors, hiking in the mountains, and being on the water. She especially enjoyed playing pickleball with her dad. She was spontaneous and always ready for an adventure such as late-night donut runs, sleep overs, or anything of the sort. Ellen loved her family, friends, and boyfriend Joel Varner very intentionally and deeply.
Ellen’s love for all people and their cultures began at a young age. Her first international opportunity was to Peru while in 5th grade. She spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica for her intercultural studies degree at Mount Vernon and served in missions to Philadelphia; Indianapolis; Brownsville and McAllen, Texas; Guatemala; and the Native American Christian Academy in Arizona. Her love for ALL people fueled her passion for social justice. Ellen had a special gift of making sure others felt seen and heard. She embodied the beautiful ability to courageously, yet respectfully, live in the tension of hard conversations. She lived life with compassion, joy, genuineness and boldness all rooted in her love of Jesus Christ and her desire to serve Him well. A meaningful Scripture to Ellen was Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Ellen’s light impacted deeply and reached wide.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at The Valley Church, Troy. Immediately following, Ellen’s Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM with Dr. Douglas Van Nest officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Oasis House 1133 S. Edwin Moses Blvd., Suite 384, Dayton, OH 45417. OR online at www.oasisforwomen.org/donate. “Oasis House offers hope and support to women survivors of trauma, sexual exploitation, and substance abuse.”
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.
Cleveland, OH
Wanted sex offender arrested at the same Cleveland home where missing Tennessee mother found dead
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – U.S. Marshals say a wanted sex offender was arrested early Friday morning at the same home where a missing Tennessee mother was found dead on July 3.
Matthew Hensley, 43, was wanted by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department for failing to register his address after a conviction of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
“Today along with Cleveland Police SWAT, Deputy Sheriffs from Cuyahoga County and my Deputy Marshals, we hit that house and we found Hensley in that house hiding in a bench area and a wall and a secret compartment that he had constructed,” said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott
According to the U.S. Marshals, he had additional charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor from an indictment in 2022.
Law enforcement has been searching for Hensley for over two months, according to a release.
Hensley was featured on Cuyahoga’s Most Wanted on Thursday.
The task force said it received numerous tips about Hensley’s whereabouts all across the Cleveland area.
He was found hiding in a cabinet at a home located at 3490 Bosworth Road and taken into custody without incident.
On July 3, Amber Graham, 37, of Spring Hill, Tennessee, was found dead outside at the same address.
Police and fire personnel discovered her body covered in a sheet.
In the Cleveland police report connected to Graham’s death, Hensley is listed as a involved person.
Child found alone at fire station
Graham’s friend told 19 News she had brought her 8-year-old daughter with her on a trip to meet a man she had been communicating with through an online video game.
On July 1, the child walked into a Cleveland fire station alone.
Officials would not confirm the child’s relation to Graham but confirmed an 8-year-old did arrive at the fire station last week.
“They assessed her for any medical issues that she would have. She appeared uninjured, but she had a phone number in her pocket for her grandmother in Tennessee. It’s my understanding. But in that situation, we called police. They called Child Protective Services,” said Lt. Mike Norman of the Cleveland Fire Department.
A friend of the victim’s said the child was Graham’s.
Friends raise alarm
Joshua LaCroix, a friend of Graham’s who lives in Franklin, Tennessee, said Graham had told him and his wife she was planning the trip to Cleveland to meet a man she had connected with through a video game.
During the trip, Graham called LaCroix, saying he heard a man in the background who was angry with her.
“That was the last conversation that me and my wife had with her,” LaCroix said.
When Graham stopped responding, friends and family grew concerned.
“She never misses a shift. No one can reach her. Last thing we know, she was in Cleveland. So like, something’s not right. She’s supposed to be here at work and she’s not,” LaCroix said.
Graham’s family reported her missing to authorities on July 2.
Facebook group helps locate home
LaCroix said he reached out to a Cleveland Facebook page for help tracking down Graham. Members of the group identified a home they believed she may have visited.
“The police were able to get to the house and, you know, discover what they discovered,” LaCroix said.
LaCroix described Graham as someone who cared for others.
“She’s just a genuine person. And she’s a good person. She’s the kind of person who will care for you without much reason to do so,” he said.
Investigation ongoing
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner is investigating Graham’s cause of death. No arrests or charges have been made.
Cleveland police said they are awaiting the medical examiner’s ruling before potentially opening a criminal investigation.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -This week’s Cuyahoga’s Most Wanted features a Cleveland man on the run for failing to maintain his sex offender registry.
According to Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County, Matthew Hensley was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in a 2002 case.
It’s reported his victim was under the age of 16-years-old.
He has failed to register, and failed to notify the sheriff’s department of his change of address.
He is now facing the following charges:
• Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
• Failure to provide notice of change of address
Hensley is 5’8” and 159 lbs. and has a tattoo of Jesus on his neck as well as a tribal dragon on his left arm and praying hands with roses on his right arm.
He was last known to be staying in the 1200 block of W. 65th Street in Cleveland.
If anyone knows where Hensley is, call Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County.
All calls to 216-252-7463 can remain completely anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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