South Toledo homicide inquiry becomes a suicide

4/1/2010

An apparent homicide Wednesday of a South Toledo man was suicide, authorities said.

Kevin L. Johnson, 25, of 1406 South Ave., died of a single gunshot wound to the head consistent with suicide, said Dr. Diane Barnett, Lucas County deputy coroner, after an autopsy.

Mr. Johnson, whose birthday was Monday, left a birthday party about 12:15 a.m. at the apartment he shares with his girlfriend, Marcella Frazier, with two men she told police she didn't know, police said.

Mr. Johnson sat down on a stairway with the two, who were friends, smoking a cigarette and drinking beer, Dr. Barnett said.

"Then out of the clear blue sky, he pulls a gun out of his pocket in front of his two buddies," Dr. Barnett said.

Ms. Frazier reported hearing a "pop" sound, then discovered Mr. Johnson lying dead with a gunshot wound to the head on the landing of their second floor apartment.

The two acquaintances fled, police said.

Dr. Barnett said Mr. Johnson's wounds were in keeping with a self-inflicted gunshot.