A 74-pound log changed the lives of two families on September 2, 2019. That day, Victoria Schafer, a 44-year-old photographer from Chillicothe, Ohio, was taking photographs at Hocking Hills State Park when she was struck and killed. Her death led to a juvenile court case, a wrongful death lawsuit, and a published appeals court opinion.
This article gathers what public records and news reports confirm about Victoria Schafer, from her career to the legal outcomes. You’ll find her background, the events at Old Man’s Cave, and every court ruling in plain language. As of 2026, her story still draws readers who want accurate details.
Who was Victoria Schafer?
Victoria Keup Schafer was born on October 28, 1974, and she lived in Chillicothe, Ohio. She died on September 2, 2019, at age 44. Her obituary, published by Haller Funeral Home and Crematory, describes a devoted mother, a wife, and a working photographer who loved her craft.
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The Associated Press called her a married mother of four. Her husband, Fritz Schafer, later spoke for the family in court and served as executor of her estate. That said, the family has kept most of its private life out of public view, and this article respects that choice.
Victoria Schafer Photography and Career
Photography was both her profession and her passion. According to her obituary, she owned Victoria Schafer Photography, a business known for underwater images, wedding photos, family portraits, baby sessions, and high school senior shoots.
She also shot candid photos of local fire and police departments. In addition, she owned a school and sports photography franchise. Outside of photography, she worked as the human resources director at Petland, which shows how many roles she balanced at once.
Her range stands out. Few people move comfortably between underwater photography, school sports, and workplace labor issues.
Victoria Schafer Education and Community Ties
Her education followed a clear path. Victoria attended Parkersburg High School, earned her undergraduate degree at Xavier University, and completed a master’s degree in labor relations at the University of Cincinnati.
Community work filled much of her free time. She volunteered with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a nonprofit that offers remembrance photography to families facing the loss of a baby. She also supported a large number of local and regional civic groups.
Her obituary adds that she enjoyed international travel and time with her family. Those details paint a full picture of a woman rooted in her community.
Quick Facts About Victoria Schafer
The table below summarizes details confirmed by her obituary, news reports, and court records. Fields without public confirmation are left out on purpose.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Victoria Keup Schafer |
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1974 |
| Date of Death | September 2, 2019 |
| Age at Death | 44 |
| Residence | Chillicothe, Ohio |
| Education | Parkersburg High School; Xavier University (bachelor’s); University of Cincinnati (master’s in labor relations) |
| Profession | Photographer, business owner, human resources director |
| Marital Status | Married to Fritz Schafer |
| Children | Four |
| Place of Death | Old Man’s Cave area, Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio |
| Memorial Service | Mass of Christian Burial, St. Mary Church, September 6, 2019 |
| Related Court Case | Schafer v. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, No. 22AP-27 |
What Happened at Old Man’s Cave
The incident took place on September 2, 2019, in Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio. Victoria Schafer was standing at the foot of the stairs at Old Man’s Cave, taking photos. According to the court record, she was photographing high school students at the time.
Above her, a cliff overlooks the Lower Falls area. Authorities said two teenage boys pushed a log off that cliff from the top of the stairs. The log struck her, and she died from the injury.
You can see why the case drew national attention. It involved an ordinary day, a popular park, and a sudden, preventable act.
The Log and the Cliff Above the Stairs
Authorities reported that the log weighed 74 pounds, or about 33 kilograms. That weight, combined with the height of the cliff, explains how serious the harm was.
The family’s later civil complaint made additional claims about the log. It alleged the log came from a stack of cut logs in a clearing created during a construction project by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources or its contractors. The complaint also said trails led to that clearing.
Those statements are allegations, not proven facts. The courts treated them as true only for the limited purpose of deciding whether the lawsuit could continue.
Investigation and Juvenile Court Charges
Both boys were juveniles at the time. For that reason, this article doesn’t name them, and the appeals court opinion refers to them only by initials.
Both were convicted of felony involuntary manslaughter in Hocking County Juvenile Court. Involuntary manslaughter in Ohio covers a death caused while committing another offense, so the conviction reflects that the court found a serious unlawful act led to her death.
The public sources reviewed here don’t describe the investigation in detail. As a result, this article doesn’t speculate about how investigators built the case.
Victoria Schafer Sentencing and Family Statements
In October 2020, a judge sentenced both teens, then 17 years old, to the custody of the Ohio Department of Youth Services. The minimum term was three years. The maximum ran until each turned 21, according to the Associated Press report carried by CBS Pittsburgh.
Fritz Schafer testified at separate hearings. He said he was disturbed by reports that the defendants showed little remorse and bragged about the act. He described his wife’s death as tragic, devastating, and senseless.
Both defendants addressed the court before sentencing. They apologized and thanked the family for showing mercy.
The Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against ODNR
The legal story didn’t end in juvenile court. On August 31, 2021, her husband filed a civil complaint in the Court of Claims of Ohio. He sued as an individual and as executor of her estate.
The complaint named the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and asserted negligence, wrongful death, and a survival action. It argued that stacked logs near a cliff and open access to the clearing made the harm foreseeable.
ODNR asked the court to dismiss the case on September 28, 2021. It cited Ohio’s recreational user statute, the public duty rule, and the general principle that a landowner isn’t liable for criminal acts by third parties. On December 8, 2021, the Court of Claims granted that motion.
How Ohio’s Recreational User Statute Works
Ohio lawmakers passed the recreational user statute in 1963. Its purpose is to encourage owners to open land for public recreation without fear of lawsuits. Under R.C. 1533.181, an owner doesn’t owe a recreational user a duty to keep the premises safe.
The law also says an owner doesn’t take on liability for injuries caused by the act of a recreational user. In 1978, the Supreme Court of Ohio held that this protection applies to state-owned land as well.
However, the immunity isn’t absolute. Earlier decisions, such as Combs v. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, show it has limits. This section offers general information only and isn’t legal advice.
Victoria Schafer The 2022 Appeals Court Decision
The plaintiff appealed to the Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County. On May 31, 2022, the court affirmed the dismissal in case No. 22AP-27. Judge McGrath wrote the decision, and Presiding Judge Luper Schuster and Judge Dorrian concurred.
The plaintiff argued that the log wasn’t part of the land and that the act was foreseeable. The court disagreed. It held that a cut log in a state park counts as a condition of the premises and doesn’t change the park’s essential character.
The judges also found that even if ODNR created a hazard, the statute still granted immunity. The family’s claim therefore couldn’t proceed.
What the Victoria Schafer Case Means for Park Safety
The rulings answer a legal question, but they also raise a practical one. You might wonder what visitors can do differently.
The lesson is simple. Objects dropped or pushed from heights can seriously injure people below, and no one should treat a cliff edge as a place to experiment. Parents, teachers, and group leaders can talk with young visitors about that risk before a trip.
The court record doesn’t show that ODNR changed any policy because of this case. Therefore, any claim about new park rules needs a separate, verified source.
Remembering Victoria Schafer Today
Victoria Schafer legacy is more than the circumstances of her death. Friends and clients remember a photographer who captured weddings, newborns, and community moments with equal care.
Her family asked for memorial contributions to the Ross County Humane Society and Junior Achievement of Ross County. Those choices reflect her love of animals and her interest in young people’s futures.
As of 2026, the sources reviewed show no public developments beyond the 2022 appeals ruling. If you research this case further, rely on court records and established news outlets, and respect the privacy of her family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Victoria Schafer?
Victoria Schafer was a 44-year-old photographer, business owner, and mother of four from Chillicothe, Ohio. She died on September 2, 2019, at Hocking Hills State Park. Her obituary describes her as a volunteer, traveler, and devoted family member who loved her work.
How did Victoria Schafer die?
Victoria Schafer died after a log struck her while she was taking photos at the foot of the stairs at Old Man’s Cave. Authorities said two teenage boys pushed the log off a cliff above her. The incident happened on September 2, 2019.
Where did the incident happen?
It happened at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Park, a state park in southeastern Ohio. Victoria Schafer stood at the foot of a staircase below a cliff. The park is operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which later became the defendant in a civil lawsuit.
How much did the log weigh?
Authorities reported that the log weighed 74 pounds, which is about 33 kilograms. News reports described it as a cut log pushed off a cliff at the top of the stairs. The weight and the drop height made the impact fatal.
Who was convicted in her death?
Two teenage boys were convicted of felony involuntary manslaughter in Hocking County Juvenile Court. Because they were juveniles, this article doesn’t name them, and the appeals opinion uses initials. The Associated Press reported that both were 17 at sentencing in October 2020.
What sentence did the teens receive?
A judge committed both teens to the Ohio Department of Youth Services. The minimum sentence was three years, and the maximum lasted until they turned 21. Both defendants apologized in court and thanked the family for their mercy, according to the Associated Press report.
Did the family sue the state of Ohio?
Yes. Her husband filed a civil complaint against the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on August 31, 2021, as an individual and as executor of her estate. The Court of Claims dismissed it on December 8, 2021, and the appeals court affirmed.
What did the appeals court decide?
On May 31, 2022, the Tenth District Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal. It ruled that Ohio’s recreational user statute protected the state, because the log was a condition of the premises and the harm came from other recreational users. The decision is listed as No. 22AP-27.
What is Ohio’s recreational user statute?
It’s a law passed in 1963, found at R.C. 1533.181, that limits landowner liability when people use land for free recreation. Owners don’t owe those visitors a duty to keep premises safe. Ohio courts have applied it to state parks since a 1978 Supreme Court decision.
What did Victoria Schafer do for a living?
She owned Victoria Schafer Photography and was known for underwater, wedding, family, baby, and senior portraits. She also owned a school and sports photography franchise and worked as the human resources director at Petland, according to her obituary.
Where was her memorial service held?
A Mass of Christian Burial took place on Friday, September 6, 2019, at 2:00 pm at St. Mary Church in Chillicothe. A gathering followed at the adjacent Family Life Center. The family asked for donations to local charities instead of flowers.
Conclusion
The story of Victoria Schafer combines a vibrant career, a close family, and a tragedy that moved through three courts. She built a photography business, held a master’s degree, and gave her time to charities and civic groups before her death on September 2, 2019.
The legal record is equally clear. Two teenagers were convicted in juvenile court and sentenced in October 2020. Her husband’s lawsuit against the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was dismissed, and the Tenth District affirmed that outcome on May 31, 2022.
If you want to learn more, start with primary sources. Read her obituary, the published court opinion, and reports from established outlets. Avoid unverified claims, and treat the family’s privacy with the same respect the facts deserve.
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