Police no longer investigating death of man found at Tipp City apartment as suspicious

ajc.com

The death of a 38-year-old man found at a Tipp City apartment earlier this month is no longer being investigated as a suspicious death, according to police.

While an official cause and manner of death haven’t been determined for Derek Helmick, Tipp City police released a statement confirming the department is no longer investigating Helmick’s death as a homicide.

“There are no persons of interest in this case nor are we pursuing any suspects,” the statement read.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office is expected to make an official ruling in a few weeks.

“I think it is important to note that every death requires some level of investigation,” said Capt. Tony Smith. “Some more than others and we take these very seriously. The last thing we want to do is rush our investigation and risk a misstep in any investigation, especially one that involves a loss of life and impacts a family while they grieve.”

Around 3 a.m. on Oct. 2, officers responded to the 700 block of Larch Street for a report of a deceased person.

When police arrived, they secured the scene. Detectives and crime scene officers also responded, as well as the Miami County Prosecutor’s Office and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Investigators collected evidence from the scene, and the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office handled the autopsy.

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