MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Coroner Dr. Jennifer Ogle has ruled the March 2 death of Nicholas B. Parent a suicide by hanging.
The ruling of suicide was made after all aspects of the investigation were available to be analyzed.
A complete investigation of the crime scene was performed by the coroner and her investigator, Linda Green. Also assisting in the investigation was Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation agent Larry Hootman.
An autopsy was performed through the Licking County Coroner’s Office. Toxicological analysis was completed through the Montgomery County Coroner's office. Ogle said it is necessary to utilize resources from other counties when Knox County does not have them available.
“There are distinct markings that occur in suicidal hangings,” said Ogle. “These marks are well documented in forensic pathology journals, and were present both initially and at the time of autopsy. Our initial speculation that this was a suicide has been confirmed by the forensic evidence. Anatomical findings show no other evidence of fatal trauma.”
According to Ogle, the toxicology report showed marijuana and a metabolite of marijuana in the blood and traces of marijuana and the metabolite in the urine.There was no alcohol in the blood at that point, she added.