Sister of Butler County man stabbed to death wants ‘justice served’

Carlton Brock, 41, of Middletown, was stabbed and killed Friday night in the 2100 block of Arlington Avenue, according to police. Kenneth Roesch, 36, of Middletown, has been charged with murder. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Carlton Brock, 41, of Middletown, was stabbed and killed Friday night in the 2100 block of Arlington Avenue, according to police. Kenneth Roesch, 36, of Middletown, has been charged with murder. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Lena Clair said she thought her brother, Carlton Brock, 41, was turning his life around.

MORE: Police: Fireworks dispute leads to murder charge for Middletown man

Then on Saturday morning, she learned her brother had died after allegedly being stabbed multiple times Friday night in the 2100 block of Arlington Avenue by Kenneth Roesch, 36. Roesch was charged with first-degree murder, and he was in court this morning.

Police said Brock allegedly was stabbed by Roesch after an argument about fireworks. But neighbors on the street said the altercation had nothing to do with fireworks.

Roesch allegedly stabbed Brock several times in the torso around 10:30 p.m. Friday, police said.

The Warren County Coroner’s Office is handling the autopsy.

Clair, 46, said her brother, a 1996 Hamilton High School graduate, was an avid softball player. He had moved into a Middletown apartment about two years ago, then into a detached garage on Arlington Avenue two months ago.

She said her mother was notified by a text message Friday night that her son was involved in an altercation. Another text said her son had died.

Clair drove her mother to Atrium Medical Center, and they were transported to the Middletown Division of Police Department, where they were interviewed by a detective. It wasn’t until 2:30 a.m. Saturday — an estimated four hours after the stabbing — they were told Brock had died.

“Very shocked,” Clair said of her reaction.

Now, she said, she wants “justice served” for her brother.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story included incorrect information about Carlton Brock's background. 

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