MARION, OHIO — This week, Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan secured the conviction of Chadwick Allen Greenawalt, Sr., who was found guilty by a Marion County Jury on all counts for the fatal stabbing of Natalie Rudd at River Bend Campground during the 2022 Fourth of July weekend. Greenawalt, from Columbus-Sandusky Rd North, Marion, was a guest at the campground when the incident unfolded.
The altercation began after Greenawalt disrupted a festive gathering at the Rudd family's permanent campsite, where they were preparing for their Fourth of July celebrations.
According to trial testimonies, Greenawalt popped a decorative balloon arch, painstakingly set up by Natalie and her husband, Rob. This led to his ejection from the site. The situation escalated when Greenawalt, after repeatedly being asked to leave, engaged in a physical altercation with Natalie. Her husband intervened to defend her, but the dispute was temporarily broken up by other campers.
The confrontation resumed with Greenawalt taunting and then attacking Natalie Rudd again, this time with a knife he had mentioned carrying earlier in the day after a foot race. Witnesses, including Rob Rudd and a 14-year-old camper, observed Greenawalt striking Natalie multiple times. These strikes were later identified as stabs, which resulted in fatal wounds. Natalie Rudd was tended to by fellow campers and emergency services from 1st Consolidated Fire District were called, but she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Marion General Hospital.
After the attack, Greenawalt fled the scene on his motorcycle but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement on SR 95. Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles’ office, through the work of multiple detectives and officers from multiple agencies including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Marion, Ohio Police Department, and the Marion and Lucas County Coroner’s offices, conducted the investigation, which included reviewing campground security footage that captured Greenawalt's arrival with what is believed to be the clip of a knife on his pocket.
The trial, presided over by Judge Matthew Frericks and prosecuted by Ray Grogan along with Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Allison Kesler, saw Natalie’s family and the local community closely following the proceedings, advocating for justice for Natalie. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a unanimous guilty verdict on charges of murder, manslaughter, and felonious assault.
Greenawalt is now held in custody awaiting sentencing which will be scheduled at a later date. His conviction marks a significant moment of accountability and closure for the Rudd family and the community affected by this tragedy.
Prosecutor Grogan stated, “This case is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of violence. The diligent work of our law enforcement partners, and the strong stand taken by our community have been crucial in bringing about this verdict. We hope this brings some measure of peace to Natalie’s family.”
Natalie RuddPhoto: provided by Natalie Rudd’s family