Release of Ronald Exantus Angers Victim’s Family

On December 7, 2015, Ronald Exantus traveled from Indianapolis to Versailles, Kentucky. He entered a home through an unlocked door. Investigators revealed that before dawn, Exantus picked up a large kitchen knife he found inside and went to an upstairs bedroom where six-year-old Logan Tipton was sleeping.

Coral Tipton, Logan’s sister, recalled her terrifying experience: “I woke up and I heard Logan screaming. The only thing I could see was the guy on top of him, the big guy, stabbing him.”

Dean Tipton, Logan’s father, was also asleep but immediately jumped into action after yelling loudly. He described a horrifying moment when Exantus turned on him: “He just snaps, sits on him and stands up with me, and he throws me across the room.” Exantus attacked Dean and his two daughters that night, leaving them all injured.

In his son’s last moments, Dean held him tightly: “He was rushing through the air. I was holding him deep in my arms… finally, he took his last breath, looked at me, and closed his eyes.”

Following that night, Dean said he felt utterly lost: “I laid in bed. I gave up on life. I gave up on my family. I gave up on everyone. I just wanted to die.”

In 2018, Exantus was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity but was convicted of assaulting a family member and sentenced to 20 years. However, just last week, he was released for good behavior, 13 years early. The Tipton family was outraged upon hearing the news.

Coral expressed her anger, saying, “He did it in front of me. He did it in front of my brother.” Dean stated that Exantus had threatened their lives: “I have to be an extra security guard to protect my family now.”

Logan’s father made a chilling promise about Exantus: “I talked to God. If I ever see him again, I will kill him where he stands.”

The Kentucky Judicial Cabinet clarified that the parole board did not grant Exantus a parole; he was released under mandatory reentry supervision due to state law. He will remain under supervision until the end of his sentence next year, with plans to serve this in Florida.

Moreover, the White House has confirmed it is investigating Exantus’ release. Logan’s mother, Heather Tipton, shared her resolve to keep her family together in the wake of this tragedy: “I promised myself I wasn’t going to let this tear us apart.”