Dr Robert Blackburn Do1

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HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ACISS Investigative Supplement Report Report Number: 2010-01190/13 Report Date: 01/10/2010 Primary Information Report Number: 2010-01190/13 Report Date: 01/10/2010 Type Of Report: Investigative Supplement Description: Investigative Assist Dissemination Code: INVESTIGATIONS Reporting LEO: Lakin, Philip (776 / Crimes Against Persons / HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE) Approval Status: Approved Approved Date: 02/03/2010 Approved By: Turney, Curtis (532 / Major Cases Section / HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE) Narrative 2010-01190 DEATH INVESTIGATION DETECTIVE LAKIN 01/10/2010 On 01/10/2010, writer was called out to assist Detective Williamson reference identifying and interviewing subjects related to Robert and Sarah Blackburn who may have information in this case. Writer met Detective Williamson at 6492 Laurel Oak Drive where I was briefed on the facts of the case as they were known at that time. (See report of Detective Williamson for further details.) Per Detective Williamson the Blackburns held a dinner party the previous evening (Saturday 01/09/2010) in which two of the known guests were Mike and Kim Rampino. It is believed that other guests may have attended as well but they have yet to be identified. Detective Williamson also provided writer with the name and phone number of Cathy Venable who was a friend of Sarah’s. Writer proceeded to , the residence of Mike and Kim Rampino and interviewed both subjects. MIKE RAMPINO INTERVIEW Mike Rampino is the Chief of Spring Hill Fire Rescue. Mike stated that he got to know Dr. Blackburn after he became the Medical Director for SHFR. Mike stated that they socialized more often after his wife; Kim Rampino became close friends with Sarah Blackburn. Mike stated that they had dinner the previous evening at their house. Per Mike, also present were two other couples that he identified as Dr. James and Patricia Jachimowicz as well as Tony and Katie Rispoli. Mike stated that there were no indicators at dinner that anything like this could have occurred. Mike stated that the only mention that Dr. Blackburn made about their relationship was that there were ups and downs. Mike was aware of issues in their relationship and has witnessed minor arguments between the two but has never witnessed or been told about any physical abuse between Sarah and Robert. KIM RAMPINO INTERVIEW Writer spoke with Kim Rampino. Kim stated that she has been close friends with Sarah Blackburn for ten years after meeting her through her husband’s professional connection to Robert Blackburn. Kim stated that she and Sarah were like sisters. Kim acknowledged that Sarah was extremely unhappy in her relationship with Robert and was in counseling. Kim stated that Sarah wanted Robert to go to counseling with her. Per Kim, Robert attended a couple of B785 03/08/2010 16:05 ACISS software licensed by Hernando County Sheriff's Office Page 1 of 3

Transcript of Dr Robert Blackburn Do1

HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICEACISS Investigative Supplement Report

Report Number: 2010-01190/13 Report Date: 01/10/2010Primary InformationReport Number: 2010-01190/13Report Date: 01/10/2010Type Of Report: Investigative SupplementDescription: Investigative AssistDissemination Code: INVESTIGATIONSReporting LEO: Lakin, Philip (776 / Crimes Against Persons / HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)Approval Status: ApprovedApproved Date: 02/03/2010Approved By: Turney, Curtis (532 / Major Cases Section / HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Narrative

2010-01190DEATH INVESTIGATIONDETECTIVE LAKIN01/10/2010 On 01/10/2010, writer was called out to assist Detective Williamson reference identifying and interviewing subjects related to Robertand Sarah Blackburn who may have information in this case. Writer met Detective Williamson at 6492 Laurel Oak Drive where I wasbriefed on the facts of the case as they were known at that time. (See report of Detective Williamson for further details.) Per Detective Williamson the Blackburns held a dinner party the previous evening (Saturday 01/09/2010) in which two of the knownguests were Mike and Kim Rampino. It is believed that other guests may have attended as well but they have yet to be identified.Detective Williamson also provided writer with the name and phone number of Cathy Venable who was a friend of Sarah’s. Writer proceeded to , the residence of Mike and Kim Rampino and interviewed both subjects. MIKE RAMPINO INTERVIEW Mike Rampino is the Chief of Spring Hill Fire Rescue. Mike stated that he got to know Dr. Blackburn after he became the MedicalDirector for SHFR. Mike stated that they socialized more often after his wife; Kim Rampino became close friends with SarahBlackburn. Mike stated that they had dinner the previous evening at their house. Per Mike, also present were two other couples thathe identified as Dr. James and Patricia Jachimowicz as well as Tony and Katie Rispoli. Mike stated that there were no indicators atdinner that anything like this could have occurred. Mike stated that the only mention that Dr. Blackburn made about their relationshipwas that there were ups and downs. Mike was aware of issues in their relationship and has witnessed minor arguments between thetwo but has never witnessed or been told about any physical abuse between Sarah and Robert. KIM RAMPINO INTERVIEW Writer spoke with Kim Rampino. Kim stated that she has been close friends with Sarah Blackburn for ten years after meeting herthrough her husband’s professional connection to Robert Blackburn. Kim stated that she and Sarah were like sisters. Kimacknowledged that Sarah was extremely unhappy in her relationship with Robert and was in counseling. Kim stated that Sarahwanted Robert to go to counseling with her. Per Kim, Robert attended a couple of

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HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICEACISS Investigative Supplement Report

Report Number: 2010-01190/13 Report Date: 01/10/2010Narrative - Continued

sessions and refused to continue. Kim stated that the previous evening, she and her husband had attended the dinner party at theBlackburns’ house but had observed no tension or stress between them. Kim stated that Sarah did confide to her that she would betelling Robert that night that it was over and that she wanted a divorce. Kim stated that she begged Sarah to wait until Monday whenthe kids were in school so that they would not risk exposing the children to any fall out from the discussion. Kim stated thatevidently, Sarah did not wait. Kim stated that she never witnessed any physical abuse nor did Sarah ever disclose that Robert hadbeen physically abusive to her in the past. Kim stated that she had witnessed some minor arguments between them in her presencebut nothing that rose to the level of concern for imminent physical abuse. Kim is not aware of any extramarital relationships on behalfof Robert or Sarah. (See taped interview with Mike and Kim Rampino for further). CATHY VENABLE INTERVIEW On 01/10/2010, writer made contact with Cathy Venable at her residence located at Rackley Road. Cathy stated that she hasknown Robert and Sarah Blackburn for many years however she is far closer to Sarah personally than she was to Robert. Cathystated that it was not a secret that Sarah and Robert had a bad marriage. Cathy stated that Robert was known for having a bad temperbut she does not know of any instances of physical abuse by Robert however she is aware that Robert did not treat Sarah or hischildren well. Per Cathy, Robert was verbally abusive to both Sarah and their son. Cathy is not aware of any other relationshipsoutside of the marriage by either Robert or Sarah but she does know that Sarah was planning to divorce Robert. (See taped interviewwith Cathy Venable for further). RUTH ANN HOOCK INTERVIEW On 01/11/2010 On 1/11/2010, Ruth Hoock responded to the Sheriff’s Office for a sworn taped interview reference the events surrounding the deathsof Sarah and Robert Blackburn. Attorney Jeff Cario accompanied Ruth and was present during the interview. Ruth stated that she worked with Dr. Blackburn at the Gulf Coast Medical Center from 1988-1991. Ruth stated that she has worked forDr. Blackburn as his Practice Manager since 1991 to present. Ruth stated that at Dr. Blackburn’s urging, she spoke with Sarah by phone in an effort to assist Dr. Blackburn in keeping his marriagetogether. Ruth stated that she spoke to Sarah about couples counseling but Sarah replied that Bob would not go back to counselingwith her. Per Ruth, Sarah’s brother; John Napolitano had offered to send them to a couples retreat but Sarah stated that she wouldnot go. Ruth stated that she had offered to let Dr. Blackburn stay at her condo in an effort to give him and Sarah time apart but he declined.Ruth stated that on Friday 1/8/10, Dr. Blackburn left the practice for a meeting at Access Health Care at 17:50 hours. Ruth stated thatshe left the office for the weekend at 18:45 hours. Ruth provided writer with the following time line of events for Sunday; 1/10/2010: 11:35: Dr. Blackburn called Ruth on her cell phone. He asked her what she was doing and she told him that she was doing laundry.They spoke briefly about the office and Dr. Blackburn asked Ruth if she was going to be home for a while. She stated that she wouldand he told her that he would call her back.

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HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICEACISS Investigative Supplement Report

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11:40: Dr. Blackburn called Ruth on her home phone and told her that everything was okay but he needed her to come to the house.Ruth stated that she called her brother: Leonard Hoock to come sit with her mother. 11:55: Leonard arrived and Ruth proceeded to Dr. Blackburn’s residence. 12:15: Ruth arrived at Dr. Blackburn’s house. Ruth saw a truck in the driveway that she initially believed to be Dr. Blackburn’s andthen realized it was Sarah’s father’s truck. Ruth stated that as she pulled up to the residence, the front door was closing and someonewas walking into the house. Ruth stated that as she entered the residence, Sarah’s father; Ralph was in the dining room. Dr.Blackburn asked Ruth to sit down because he had some stuff to go over. Ruth saw Dr. Blackburn’s son; come out from hisbedroom. He hugged Ruth and told her that he was going to play golf with grandpa. Ralph made small talk with Ruth asking her howher mother was. Dr. Blackburn gave a hug and a kiss and told him that he loved him. Ralph and left the residence. As theyleft Dr. Blackburn shushed Ruth to be quiet and winked at her. Dr. Blackburn watched through the window as Ralph sat in the truckon the phone. Ralph came back into the house and asked where Sarah was. Bob (Dr. Blackburn) told Ralph that she was out withfriends. Ralph stated that he wanted to know where his daughter was. Bob told to tell his grandfather that his mom has beengoing out a lot lately. Ralph then asked where was. Bob told Ralph that was at a friend’s house. Ralph then askedBob what was going on. Bob told Ralph that the marriage is over and that his daughter doesn’t like him. Ralph left the house with and stated that he would be back. Bob showed Ruth a “to do” list indicating how he wants his children taken care of and whoshould get his valuables. Bob told Ruth that he got into a fight with Sarah and stated that he went crazy and pummeled her and thenshot her in the neck. Bob showed Ruth a small wound on his chest stating that Sarah stabbed him and then showed Ruth a minor cuton his hand. Ruth stated that she had asked Bob if she could call a lawyer for him. Ruth stated that after giving her instructions, andshowing her the safe, Bob told her that she needed to leave. Ruth stated Bob hugged and kissed her goodbye. Ruth tried to reasonwith him but Bob became agitated. Ruth stated that she got scared and left the house. Ruth stated that she immediately called JohnNapolitano. John told her that he was already enroute and told Ruth to call 911. (See taped interview with Ruth Hoock for furtherdetails.) Writer took no further action in this case.

Record Status InformationRecord Origination Operator: Lakin, Philip (776 / Crimes Against Persons / HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S

OFFICE)Record Origination Date: 02/02/2010 18:09Last Update Operator: Turney, Curtis (532 / Major Cases Section / HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)Last Update Date: 02/03/2010 10:54

Reporting LEO Date Supervisor DateLakin, Philip (776 / Crimes AgainstPersons / HERNANDO COUNTYSHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Turney, Curtis (532 / Major Cases Section/ HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'SOFFICE)

3/8/2010

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