The tragic story of Reagan Tokes, a young Ohio State University student, is a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities we face in our everyday lives. It’s a tale that raises questions about safety, justice, and the systemic failures that sometimes allow tragedy to strike.
Reagan Tokes, a bright and promising psychology major, was nearing graduation and excited about her future. She had dreams, aspirations, and a love for Ohio State that burned brightly. But on a cold February night, her life was brutally cut short, leaving her family, friends, and community reeling in shock and grief.
A Night of Terror
Reagan was last seen leaving her job at a restaurant in downtown Columbus. Surveillance footage captured her walking to her car, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. Brian Golsby, a registered sex offender recently released from prison, abducted Reagan, forcing her to drive him to various ATMs in a desperate attempt to withdraw cash.
The chilling security camera footage showed Reagan at the ATMs, a shadowy figure beside her. It captured the fear in her eyes, the desperation in her movements. It was a glimpse into the terror she must have felt, trapped in her own car with a man who held her life in his hands.
After failing to get cash from the first two ATMs, Golsby forced Reagan to drive to a secluded alley where he raped her. Then, he made her drive back to the first ATM, where she was finally able to withdraw $60. Their journey continued to a gas station, then to a remote area in Scioto Grove Metro Park.
It was there, in the cold darkness of that February night, that Golsby marched Reagan to her death. He ordered her out of the car, told her to take off her clothes, and then shot her in the back of the head. As if this wasn’t cruel enough, he walked up to her, put the gun to her temple, and delivered a final, fatal shot.
The Pursuit of Justice
The investigation into Reagan’s disappearance began quickly. A license plate reader connected to a police database flagged Reagan’s car, leading investigators to discover scorch marks on the front seat, indicating an attempted arson. Inside the car, they found cigarette butts, which Reagan’s family confirmed she never smoked. DNA testing on the cigarette butts led investigators to Brian Golsby.
Golsby, who was wearing an ankle monitor due to his previous conviction, initially denied any involvement in Reagan’s disappearance. However, after hours of interrogation and confronted with mounting evidence, he began to confess, weaving a story about a fictional accomplice named “TJ.” He claimed TJ forced him to rob and rape Reagan and that TJ was the one who pulled the trigger.
The prosecution, led by Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, meticulously pieced together the events of that night, using surveillance footage, DNA evidence, and testimony from witnesses. They argued that Golsby’s claims of an accomplice were fabricated, and that he acted alone, driven by a chilling combination of greed and a desire to silence his victim.
Reagan Tokes's parents, Lisa and Toby Tokes, at a press conference.
Golsby’s defense team, led by public defenders Diane Menashe and Kort Gatterdam, acknowledged the horrific nature of the crime but argued that Golsby’s difficult childhood and history of trauma should be considered mitigating factors. They presented evidence of Golsby’s troubled upbringing, marked by abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence.
A Verdict and a Legacy
After a tense and emotional trial, the jury found Brian Golsby guilty of aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape, and robbery. The prosecution sought the death penalty, arguing that Golsby’s violent criminal history and the callous nature of his crime warranted the ultimate punishment.
The jury, however, was deadlocked on the issue of the death penalty, ultimately sentencing Golsby to life in prison without the possibility of parole. While Reagan’s family expressed disappointment that Golsby’s life was spared, they found solace in the guilty verdict and the knowledge that he would never again be free to harm another innocent person.
Reagan Tokes’s death sparked outrage and grief throughout Ohio and beyond. It highlighted the vulnerabilities of young women, the challenges of reintegrating ex-offenders into society, and the need for improved monitoring of those on parole.
In response to this tragedy, Reagan’s parents, Lisa and Toby Tokes, channeled their grief into action, establishing the Reagan Delaney Tokes Memorial Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships to students pursuing careers in psychology and advocates for stronger laws to protect vulnerable individuals.
They also successfully lobbied for the passage of “Reagan’s Law” in Ohio, which requires real-time monitoring of GPS ankle bracelets worn by violent offenders and allows for extended prison sentences for those who violate the terms of their parole.
Reagan Tokes’s story is a tragedy that serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of advocating for justice and safety. Her legacy lives on through the foundation that bears her name, the law that was passed in her honor, and the countless lives that have been touched by her story.
