The death of Richland County Prosecutor James Mayer Jr. on Friday evening was investigated by the Mansfield Major Crimes Section and ultimately closed after the case was determined to be a suicide by the Richland County Coroner’s Office, according to a press release from the Mansfield Police Department.
Tom Stortz, investigator for the Richland County Coroner’s office, confirmed on Monday the manner of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Stortz said there would not be any further investigation into the case from the coroner’s office.
“If it was an unwitnessed death, we would have more to do; but this speaks for itself,” said Stortz. “He did what he did, and there’s not really anything to look for.”
The press release stated that on Sept. 26, Mansfield police were called to 640 Dickson Parkway. Upon arrival, one gunshot was heard by the responding officer.
Richland County Commissioner Ed Olson spoke from his home Friday evening, shortly after the tragic event at the home of Mayer. Olson stated he received a call from First Assistant Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page confirming that Mayer had shot himself.
Neighbors Michael Seveigny, Susan Vigesaa and Tom Banks all confirmed hearing what they described as sounding like a single gunshot at approximately 5:45 p.m. Friday evening near the intersection of Dickson Parkway and Bigelow Road in Mansfield’s Woodland neighborhood.
According to the press release, the Mayer family acknowledges the tragedy of this event and the impact on their family and the residents of Richland County. The Mayer family requests privacy and prayers during this most difficult time. Funeral arrangements are currently being finalized and more information will be released once the arrangements are complete.
“I have nothing but the highest praise for Jim as a person, as an attorney, as a family man,” said Olson. I really have absolutely no idea what has caused this, but his death truly is a loss to the county. It’s a loss to the Bar Association, and it’s a loss to the other 15 elected county officials because he’s been a team player from the day he took office.”
Richland County Commissioners met at 9 a.m. Monday morning to name Couch Page as the interim successor to Mayer retroactive to Sept. 26, citing the need for continuity in the prosecutor’s office.
