The body of Colin Cole was found this morning inside the freezer at UDF, 101 N. Cherry St. The day manager found the body of the employee when she arrived at work. The death remains under investigation. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
Reportedly doesn’t appear suspicious but investigation continues
Law enforcement officials are investigating a death inside a local convenience store.
Colin Cole, 50, of Marysville, was pronounced dead shortly after 4 a.m. today, at the UDF store, 101 N. Cherry St.
Deputy Chief Tony Brooks, with the Marysville Police Department, said that “nothing, at this point, appears to be suspicious.” Even so, Lance Emberling, investigator with the Union County Coroner’s Office, said he is treating it as a suspicious death, “until we can get more information on it.”
“Honestly, I don’t know what happened yet until we are able to review the video from inside the store to piece some things together,” Emberling said.
Investigators said Cole and another employee were closing the store about 1 a.m. today. In surveillance video, Cole and that employee are seen exiting the building to close the store. Emberling said Cole reenters the store about 10 minutes later. In video, Cole appears to do work at the store counter then goes to a computer in the back of the store. About 1:16 a.m., Cole is seen leaving the computer.
“At that point we lose him off video,” Emberling said.
A day manager came to the store about 4 a.m. to open for the day. That manager found the door unlocked and began to investigate. She found Cole in the store freezer and called 911.
When police arrived, they found Cole unresponsive. He was removed from the freezer and first responders attempted CPR.
“Unfortunately, that was unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene,” Emberling said.
Brooks said a detective was sent to the scene, “which is normal for an unattended death.”
“We know that at 1:16 a.m., he is alive and at 4 a.m., he is deceased,” Emberling said. “We are still going through and looking at that three hour window, trying to see what is going on, what is happening. I am hopeful that the video will show us everything we need to know and see.”
He noted there is not video surveillance from inside the freezer.
Emberling said there are no visible injuries to the man.
He said the next of kin has been notified and the body will be transported to Montgomery County for an autopsy and toxicology screening as part of the investigation.