Marion man awaits sentencing for 2022 murder of Natalie Rudd

A Marion man has been convicted of the fatal stabbing death of Natalie Rudd at River Bend Campground on the 2022 Fourth of July weekend.

Chadwick Allen Greenawalt Sr. was convicted of murder, manslaughter and felonious assault by a Marion County Common Pleas jury after about two hours of deliberation, according to a news release from the office of Prosecutor Ray Grogan.

An altercation began after he disrupted a gathering at the Rudd family's permanent campsite, where they were preparing for Fourth of July celebrations, according to the release.

Confrontation began by popping a balloon

Greenawalt popped a decorative balloon arch set up by Natalie Rudd and her husband, Rob, which led to his ejection from the site, according to trial testimony cited in the release. The situation escalated when Greenawalt, after repeatedly being asked to leave, engaged in a physical altercation with Natalie Rudd. 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, the release said. Witnesses, including Rob Rudd and a 14-year-old camper, observed Greenawalt striking Natalie multiple times. The strikes were later identified as stabs, which resulted in fatal wounds, according to the release.

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 Ohio 95.

Sentencing date hasn't been scheduled yet

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, according to the release.

The trial was presided over by Common Pleas Judge Matthew Frericks and prosecuted by Grogan along with Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Allison Kesler.

Greenawalt is in custody awaiting sentencing, which will be scheduled at a later date.

Grogan said the conviction marks a significant moment of accountability and closure for the Rudd family and the community affected by the tragedy.

“This case is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of violence," Grogan said in the release. "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.”

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Chadwick Greenawalt Sr. convicted of murdering Natalie Rudd in 2022