Reward tripled for information on slaying of South Toledo man

7/14/2009

The family of a South Toledo man found bludgeoned to death outside a Hill Avenue mobile home park has raised the reward from $5,000 to $15,000 for information about the crime.

Jeffery M. Patterson, 49, of the 3700 block of Hill Ave. was found dead about 6 a.m. June 11 at the entrance to the ByrneHill Mobile Home Park. Authorities believe he was walking home from a nearby gas station where he bought beer shortly after midnight.

"I hope somebody would have the courage to come forward with anything they've seen or anything they know about the crime," Elaine Anderson of Swanton, Mr. Patterson's mother, said.

Toledo police Detective Deborah Hahn said it was possible that Mr. Patterson was involved in an altercation in an area bar earlier that night and that the other party then sought him out at the mobile home park entrance, his habitual place for rest on his way to and from the store.

She spoke at a news conference held Monday afternoon at the place where Mr. Patterson was found.

Mr. Patterson, who authorities said was suffering from malnutrition and was frail, was incapable of effectively defending himself. He suffered a skull fracture and broken bones in both of his hands from about 25 blows with an object, possibly a hammer.

The retired South Toledo production quality controller died about 3 a.m. of a head wound, she said.

"I am frustrated that someone would do this and we then would have no leads," Detective Hahn said. "I implore citizens of Toledo to come forward with any information they may have."

The detective said earlier attempts to get information about the crime through Crime Stopper were ineffective, in part because of staffing problems caused by the May 1 police layoffs.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Crime Stopper, 419-255-1111, or the Toledo police detective bureau, 419-245-3142. Callers may be eligible for an additional reward through Crime Stopper, she said.