Friday, June 17, 2011

Philo, OH: Sheriff's Office: Philo domestic dispute, death likely linked

PHILO -- The Muskingum County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the death of a 56-year-old Philo man during a possible domestic dispute.

Sheriff Matt Lutz said Donald L. McHenry, 56, was found dead Wednesday night in front of 600 Irish Ridge Road. Lutz is not releasing the cause of death at this time, but he said the Franklin County Coroner's Office is handling the autopsy.

Dispatchers received a 911 call about 10:30 p.m. from a woman living at the home who was panicked and screamed that someone had tried to kill her.

While dispatchers sent deputies to the home, the woman kept repeating that someone had tried to kill her, but she was so distraught dispatchers had a difficult time understanding her.

A second woman then talked to dispatchers and told them she was not sure what happened, but the first woman and the man in the yard were "covered in blood."

"She's on the porch, and he's lying in the yard," the woman told dispatchers.


The second woman told operators she had been in bed, but a commotion woke her and she thought she might have heard a gunshot.

She also told operators McHenry was lying in the front yard and not moving.

A neighbor had turned on the headlights of his car, she told the operator, but she couldn't tell whether the man in the yard was alive.

Lutz was the first to arrive and found McHenry lying in the front yard, not responding. He said he began CPR and continued until EMS arrived. Muskingum County Coroner Perry Kalis pronounced McHenry dead at the scene.

Lutz said two women, relatives of McHenry, have been questioned.

Lutz said McHenry died during a possible domestic dispute, but did not elaborate any further.

"We are continuing our investigation and have spoken to Muskingum County Prosecutor Michael Haddox regarding the case," Lutz said.

No charges have been filed.

No comments: