Blendon Township Police probe homicide after body found in home

Blendon Township Police investigating a suspected overdose made a second grim discovery inside a home on Claridon Road Wednesday night: the body of a person in an advanced state of decomposition, according to an abc6onyourside.com report.

A Routine Overdose Call Turns Into a Homicide Probe

Officers responded shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday to the 2600 block of Claridon Road following a report of a suspected overdose. While providing aid to the first victim, responders discovered the second person dead in the same room. Police are actively investigating that second death as a homicide.

Hazmat Suits and Court Records at the Scene

Detectives remained at the property Thursday afternoon, continuing their investigation as officers in protective hazmat suits worked inside the residence. Court records filed in connection with the address revealed an active warrant for 61-year-old Leslie Ryan, who was arrested at the scene Wednesday night on a domestic violence charge stemming from June.

Overdose call leads to grisly second discovery: decomposing body found inside Ohio home

According to those court documents, Ryan was accused of chasing his brother with a knife. Blendon Township Police have not yet indicated whether that domestic violence case is directly connected to the ongoing homicide investigation.

Neighbors Notice Sudden Changes and Strong Odors

The discovery has left neighbors grappling with questions about what unfolded at the property. Sai Diaz, a nearby construction worker, described the house as an unsettling presence in the neighborhood, calling it one of the ugliest homes around and noting that it looked abandoned and sketchy.

Tiffany Hawkins, who lives down the street, recalled an older man who had lived on the property for years, remembering him as someone who kept to himself while regularly feeding neighborhood stray cats. However, Hawkins noted that activity around the site shifted dramatically in recent weeks.

Within the last two months, trees on the property were demolished and basement construction began. About a month ago, a trailer camper appeared on the site, accompanied by younger men staying in it, according to Hawkins. She added that she had not seen the older man recently and mentioned a strong cat urine smell emanating from the property.

Overdose call leads to grisly second discovery: decomposing body found inside Ohio home

Coroner Seeks Positive Identification

Hawkins told abc6onyourside.com that the heavy odor may have masked other unusual smells, though she expressed surprise that no one contacted authorities sooner.

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office is working to positively identify the person found dead before releasing further details. Authorities have not disclosed additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the fatality.