LEXINGTON, Ohio–The body of a deceased white male was found in a creek in the 2000 block of Eckert Road in Perry Township on Friday. The Richland County Sheriff’s office received a report from a nearby resident at 2:32 p.m. and responding deputies confirmed the report and contacted the Richland County Coroner’s office.
The deceased was taken from the scene by the Richland County Coroner’s office for autopsy.
After an autopsy performed by the Summit County Coroner’s Office March 21, the Richland County Coroner’s Office has presumptively identified the deceased person as Victor J. Ross, age 53, of Grove City, Ohio with the preliminary cause of death noted as drowning.
Since completing a report for Ross’ disappearance on March 19, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with and provided updated information to Ross’ family.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Lisa Parrish of Arizona who reported that her brother, Victor Ross of Grove City, had called her on Monday, March 15 and advised that he was taking his brother Eugene Ross with him and leaving because people were after him.
Morrow County Sheriff’s deputies located Eugene Ross walking down the middle of State Route 42 around 11 p.m. on March 15. According to Morrow County Sheriff’s Deputy Cliff O’Connor, Eugene Ross advised him that his brother had picked him up and they had driven around county roads until their car had broke down. Eugene reportedly told O’Connor that Victor Ross had taken off walking, and when he didn’t come back, Eugene Ross decided to walk to his residence in Columbus. The Ohio State Highway Patrol transported Eugene Ross back to his home.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office will continue their investigation pending the official coroner’s report.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include new information.
