Apparently died of gunshot wound to head
A fatal gunshot wound appears the cause, but law enforcement officials do not have many answers yet about the death of an individual found at a local rest area.
Lt. Shawn D. Cook, post commander for the Marysville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said shortly after 8 a.m. today, investigators were called to the westbound rest stop on U.S. 33 in Millcreek Township on a report of “an unresponsive male.”
When officials arrived, they found an individual dead inside a silver sedan.
Lance Emberling, investigator with the Union County Coroner’s Office, said it appears the individual is an adult man. He said it initially looks like the man suffered “an apparent gunshot wound.”
Cook said investigators do not yet know what time the man died.
“Right now, it is going to be listed as under investigation,” Emberling said, clarifying that at this point investigators do not know if the gunshot wound was self-inflicted or caused by someone else.
Cook and Emberling confirmed investigators also do not know the identity of the dead individual.
“We are unable to make an identification at this time,” Emberling said.
Emberling said investigators have some leads on the identity, but cannot confirm them yet due to the nature of the injuries sustained.
Cook said the investigation is in the “preliminary stage.” He said he does not believe there are cameras at the rest stop.
Emberling said the body will be transported to Montgomery County, “to help make an identification and for an autopsy.”
The rest stop was closed at the time, but reopened about 10 a.m.