Initial autopsy fails to resolve cause of Oregon man’s death

11/6/2012

Not enough information was gleaned from an initial autopsy to determine what killed an Oregon man.

John Kutsch, 58, was found unconscious and unresponsive inside his home in the 1100 block of Earlwood Avenue on Saturday night after an apparently violent struggle with his son Jacob Kutsch, 21.

Dr. Cynthia Beisser, a Lucas County deputy coroner, said Mr. Kutsch had injuries to his knuckles, but no injuries that would have caused his death. Dr. Beisser is awaiting additional tests results, which could take at least several weeks.

Police arrested the younger Mr. Kutsch on Saturday and charged him with one count of murder. He was arraigned Monday in Oregon Municipal Court and was ordered held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Nov. 20.

An autopsy was also performed over the weekend on Katie Sheppard, 29, who was found dead Friday night in the enclosed porch of her West Toledo home.

Mrs. Sheppard died of ligature strangulation, said Dr. Maneesha Pandey, a deputy Lucas County coroner. She said the woman had other injuries, although the strangulation was the most significant.

Mrs. Sheppard’s husband, Kyle Sheppard, 29, is charged with murder in her death.

Mr. Sheppard fled to Canada on Friday and turned himself in Sunday to Canadian authorities; it’s unclear when he will be extradited to Ohio, authorities said.

A third autopsy over the weekend was performed on Charity Marshall, who was found dead in an apartment in the 2500 block of Heather Hills Road after a standoff with police Saturday.

Dr. James Patrick, Lucas County coroner, said a final ruling has not been made, but it appears she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Because of the circumstances surrounding her death, additional investigation is needed, he said.

Authorities went to the apartment and found Ms. Marshall after receiving a call from Robert A. Marshall, 28, who allegedly called police to report that his wife had threatened him with a gun and that he had locked himself in a separate room.

Mr. Marshall, a trooper with the Toledo post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.