MANSFIELD — Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mansfield Post are investigating after a woman was found dead at a rest area Tuesday morning.
Troopers received a call around 6:14 a.m. from a truck driver, who reported he saw an unresponsive woman lying in the parking lot of the rest area on the eastbound side of U.S. 30, near the I-71 interchange.
Upon arrival, troopers located Cassandra Johnson, a 40-year-old Mansfield resident, lying next to her vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene by local emergency personnel at 7:16 a.m., according to Chief Investigator Bob Ball of the Richland County Coroner’s Office.
Ball said he believes Johnson’s body was likely discovered within a few hours of her death. Authorities believe she died at the scene.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol are undertaking a joint investigation. Johnson’s body will be sent to Montgomery County for an autopsy.
“There were no indicators of foul play,” said Lt. Jason Murfield of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “There is no threat to the public. This was an isolated incident.”
