January 2014 was brutally cold in Warren County, Ohio. But the weather wasn't nearly as chilling as the phone call that sparked a massive search for a missing 18-year-old named Justin Back. He was just days away from leaving for the Navy. He had his whole life packed into boxes, ready to serve his country and see the world beyond the quiet, rolling hills of Waynesville. Instead, he became the victim of a crime so senseless and precalculated that it still makes people in Southwest Ohio shudder when they drive past the family home on Corwin Road.
Honestly, the Justin Back murder wasn't a crime of passion or a sudden outburst. It was a cold-blooded execution planned by someone Justin considered a friend. Austin Myers and Timothy Mosley didn't just stumble into a bad situation; they walked into that house with a "kill kit" containing a garrote wire, a pocket knife, and a plan to dispose of a body.
Justin was a local kid. He loved his family, he loved his dogs, and he was the kind of person who would let an old schoolmate into his house on a Tuesday afternoon without thinking twice. That's the part that hurts the most for the community. His kindness was the very thing his killers exploited.
The Calculated Plot Behind the Justin Back Murder
When we talk about true crime, we often look for a motive that makes sense, even if it’s twisted. Money? Revenge? Jealousy? In the case of Austin Myers and Timothy Mosley, the motive was basically a mixture of boredom and a pathetic attempt at a robbery. They thought Justin had a safe in the house containing $20,000.
There was no safe. There was no $20,000.
Myers was the mastermind, the one who knew Justin from school. He was 19 at the time. Mosley, also 19, was the one who actually carried out the physical act of killing. They spent hours discussing how to do it. They didn't just talk; they prepared. They bought supplies. They practiced. It’s hard to wrap your head around the level of detachment required to sit in a car and discuss how to use a garrote wire on a person you used to hang out with.
On January 28, 2014, they arrived at the Back residence. Justin’s stepfather, Sandy Cates, was at work. His mother, Anita, was out. Justin was alone. They walked in under the guise of hanging out, just like any other group of teenagers in a small town.
👉 See also: Why are US flags at half staff today and who actually makes that call?
The Struggle in the Kitchen
The details that came out during the trial were graphic. While Justin was distracted, Mosley attacked him from behind. But Justin fought back. He wasn't some passive victim; he was a young man fighting for his life in his own kitchen. At one point, during the struggle, Myers reportedly held Justin down while Mosley used the wire and then a knife.
They killed him for nothing.
After the murder, they didn't panic and run. They cleaned up. They used chemicals to try and hide the blood. They wrapped Justin’s body in a rug, dumped him in a wooded area in Preble County, and even used a stolen credit card to buy pizza and movies later that night. The sheer callousness of eating pepperoni pizza hours after dumping your friend's body in the woods is something the prosecutors, including David Fornshell, hammered home during the legal proceedings.
Why This Case Changed Ohio Law
Most people think the story ends with the arrest. It didn't. The Justin Back murder triggered a massive legislative shift in Ohio. You see, during the investigation, it became clear that the killers had been planning this for a while. However, there were gaps in how law enforcement could track certain behaviors and how the justice system handled these specific types of violent offenders.
Justin’s parents, Anita and Sandy Cates, didn't just grieve in silence. They became fierce advocates. They pushed for "Justin’s Law," which aimed to increase the penalties for those who commit such heinous acts and to ensure that the "mastermind" behind a crime could be held just as accountable as the person who pulled the trigger or held the knife.
In Ohio, Austin Myers became the youngest person on death row at the time of his sentencing. This sparked a huge debate. People asked: should a 19-year-old be sentenced to death if he didn't actually strike the fatal blow? The jury thought so. They saw his role as the architect of the crime as being just as depraved as Mosley’s physical actions.
✨ Don't miss: Elecciones en Honduras 2025: ¿Quién va ganando realmente según los últimos datos?
Mosley, on the other hand, took a plea deal. He testified against Myers to avoid the death penalty and was sentenced to life without parole. It’s one of those legal ironies that people still argue about in local diners—the guy who actually killed Justin is serving life, while the guy who planned it was sent to death row.
The Impact on Waynesville
Waynesville is a small town. It's known for antiques and the Sauerkraut Festival. It’s not the kind of place where you lock your doors during the day. Or at least, it wasn't. The Justin Back murder robbed the community of more than just a bright young man; it robbed them of their sense of security.
When you talk to locals, they remember the search parties. Hundreds of people combed through fields and woods, hoping against hope that Justin had just been kidnapped or was hiding. When the news broke that his body had been found and that "one of their own" was responsible, the vibe of the town changed.
The memorial for Justin at the local high school remains a somber reminder. He was supposed to be a sailor. He had his uniform ready. Instead, his family had to bury him in it.
The Legal Aftermath and Death Row Appeals
Austin Myers has spent years appealing his sentence. His legal team has argued everything from his age to the fact that he didn't "personally" kill Justin. But the Ohio Supreme Court has largely upheld the conviction. They pointed to the evidence of premeditation—the "kill kit," the pre-dug grave, the discussions of how to dispose of the body with lye.
It wasn't a mistake. It was a project.
🔗 Read more: Trump Approval Rating State Map: Why the Red-Blue Divide is Moving
The case also brought up a lot of discussion about the death penalty in general. Ohio has had a complicated relationship with executions over the last decade, with various stays and delays due to lethal injection drug shortages. For the Cates family, every appeal is like reopening a wound that refuses to scar over.
- The Weapon: A handmade garrote and a kitchen knife.
- The Theft: They took some jewelry and a credit card.
- The Recovery: Justin’s body was found two days later.
- The Sentence: Myers (Death), Mosley (Life without parole).
Honestly, when you look at the crime scene photos or read the transcripts, the "why" never gets more satisfying. It stays senseless. The "robbery" netted them almost nothing of value. They ended a life for a few pieces of jewelry and the chance to act out some dark fantasy they’d been discussing in secret.
Lessons for Personal Safety and Community Awareness
We often want to believe that we can spot "evil" from a mile away. We think murderers look like monsters. But Austin Myers looked like any other teenager. He was someone Justin trusted enough to let through the front door.
If there is any "actionable insight" to be gained from such a tragedy, it’s about the importance of situational awareness, even in "safe" towns.
- Trust your gut. If someone you haven't seen in a long time suddenly shows up and wants to "hang out" in a private setting, it’s okay to be cautious.
- Communication is key. Justin’s family knew something was wrong quickly because he was a communicator. When he stopped responding, they acted immediately. That speed helped catch the killers before they could disappear.
- Community Support. The way Waynesville rallied around the Cates family shows that while one person can do something horrific, hundreds more will step up to do something good.
The Justin Back murder serves as a permanent marker in Warren County history. It’s a reminder that even in the quietest corners of the Midwest, darkness can find a way in. But more importantly, the legacy of Justin Back lives on through the laws changed in his name and the scholarship funds established to help other local kids reach the goals he never got to achieve.
He was a son, a brother, and a future sailor. He deserved better than a snowy field in Preble County. And while the legal battles continue, the people who knew him make sure his name stands for more than just a headline about a crime.
To stay informed about safety in your local community or to support victims' rights organizations, you should look into the Ohio Victims of Crime program. Staying engaged with local legislative changes, like those prompted by Justin's Law, ensures that the justice system continues to evolve in a way that protects the innocent and holds the guilty accountable. Look for local town hall meetings or victim advocacy groups in your area to see how you can contribute to a safer environment for everyone.