Investigation begins after death of local

Jessie Balmert

Athens County Sheriff's deputies launched a homicide investigation yesterday after finding a county resident dead in a burning car.

The State Highway Patrol found the vehicle on the south end of the county off Chase Road at 7 a.m., said Sheriff Pat Kelly, adding he believes the fire was burning for no more than 12 hours. The Shade Fire Department also responded to the scene.

Deputies executed search warrants for a person of interest in the case, an Athens County resident believed to be an acquaintance of the deceased. They also issued warrants for a vehicle and residence. No charges have been filed in the case as of last night.

The body was sent to Montgomery County to determine the identity of the victim, Kelly said.

Athens County Prosecutor's Office, Ohio State Fire Marshal and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation are also investigating the case, Kelly said.