Columbus Police and coroner trying to solve 87-year-old's mysterious death

COLUMBUS, Ohio — There’s a mystery swirling around the death of an elderly man in north Columbus. He was found almost two weeks ago, but there’s still few answers into what happened to him.

Homicide detectives are investigating after the body was found on Lenore Avenue. CPD is calling it “homicide 68.”

Franklin County Coroner Anahi Ortiz said the body is “skeletonized.” Now forensic anthropologists are working to help find the cause and manner of death.

On October 8th, 2018 ABC 6 interviewed the 87-year-old man who was a victim of a home invasion at the same house. Erwin Beuchert was battered and bruised. Beuchert said somebody came into his home through a window with a stocking over his head and choked him.

“Well I tell you what, if he would have kept his hands around a little bit longer, I would be dead. I couldn’t breathe no more. I could not fight back,” Beuchert said. When asked if he thought they may come back, Beuchert replied “Yes, that is what I am afraid of.”

On Tuesday, the house was being guarded by a police officer as detectives investigate the death of the man found inside.

Senior citizens at Carrie’s Cafe told us they have been following the case. People said they go for a bite to eat and to develop friendships. Many like Pastor Frank McGee, 81, said they feel vulnerable when it comes to criminals. “They target you. They watch you closely. And when the time comes, they gonna do what they think they have to do.”

Michelle Missler, the Director of the Franklin County Office on Aging said they are dedicated to protecting senior adults from abuse and exploitation. Missler said she is familiar with the case because they received a phone call Friday regarding concerns of a financial institution around the gentleman, so they sent a social worker to check on him. “When we went out there obviously, we found police tape and heard from police officers he was already deceased. I wish we could have ...provided him support.”

Missler cited a law enacted by the Ohio Legislature last year that requires banks to notify the agency of suspicious activity. “They do have a right to feel safe and secure and to reach out to get those services in place. Definitely the older generation today doesn’t want to feel like a burden, they don’t want to have to reach out, they want to be able to take care of themselves.”

While it is uncertain if services could have changed the outcome for the homicide victim, seniors like Life Care Alliance driver Charles Umrani said he wants people need to feel a part of something. “Older people need to realize they are not alone. They can come to a place where other people are and a sense of, a feeling of love. Now all the sudden at the end of his life, instead of going out decent, this man goes out as a victim of crime.”

If you or someone you know needs help you contact the following organizations:

• Franklin County Adult Protective Services 24/7 hotline is 614-525-4348.
• Franklin County Senior Options (i.e. transportation, meals, medical equipment for 60 and above): 614-525-6200
• Franklin County Office on Aging: website https://officeonaging.org/