Authorities say little after trustee's body recovered
Lafayette Township Trustee Bryon Macron found in Chippewa Lake Feb. 21
Pictured addressing the media Feb. 23 from left to right are Medina County Sheriff Tom Miller, Coroner Dr. Lisa Deranek and Prosecutor Forrest Thompson. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
MEDINA – Authorities released very little information during a Feb. 23 press conference at the Medina County Sheriff’s Office two days after the body of Lafayette Township Trustee Bryon Macron was discovered in Chippewa Lake.
At the conference, Medina County Sheriff Tom Miller, Medina County Coroner Dr. Lisa Deranek and County Prosecutor Forrest Thompson said next to nothing about how Macron, 45, died, why Chippewa Lake was not searched more thoroughly before a kayaker found him two months after his disappearance and whether the case was considered a murder investigation.
Deranek said a preliminary autopsy had been conducted Feb. 22 at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office but that other results, such as a toxicology screening, would not be available for a few weeks. Deranek said the medical examiner told her it was very hard to determine exactly how long Macron had been in the water due to the temperature.
“It would be inappropriate for us at this time to answer detailed questions,” said Thompson.
Miller said a search was conducted along the shoreline and a plane flew over the area, but the pilot didn’t find anything to suspect Macron was in the lake.
“We were looking for footprints that would lead to the lake and we did not find any,” Miller said. “We can’t tell you why we didn’t find any and why he showed up there.”
Also addressed was a statement issued by Lafayette Trustees Lynda Bowers and Mike Costello that there was no evidence to suggest residents should be afraid. Thompson said authorities shared some information to the trustees as they were receiving questions from residents.
He said he agreed residents have nothing to fear, but adding it was also premature to say there was a murderer out there.
He also refused to answer if there were any specific indications of injuries on Macron’s body that would be a sign of foul play.
Thompson confirmed authorities believe some type of disturbance occurred in Macron’s office in the township building Dec. 16, the morning he was reported missing. Macron’s vehicle was found later that day in a parking lot by Chippewa Lake, less than a mile from where his body was eventually discovered.
When asked about the blood found in the office and on the vehicle, Thompson said the blood “has been isolated to a single source.” He also declined to specify how much blood was found at the time.
Thompson also declined to comment if perhaps Macron had harmed himself or if there were any persons of interest involved in his disappearance and death.
“Common sense tells us that we have to explore all options, including the option of foul play,” Thompson said about the case. “There is insufficient evidence in our hands at this time that we’re willing to divulge because of its ongoing nature that leads us in one direction. The answers are not quite that simple. We don’t know.”
As Thompson only took office Jan. 2, he said he was not aware of all the case details before taking office. Deranek was also elected in November and took office at the same time.
At the conference, Medina County Sheriff Tom Miller, Medina County Coroner Dr. Lisa Deranek and County Prosecutor Forrest Thompson said next to nothing about how Macron, 45, died, why Chippewa Lake was not searched more thoroughly before a kayaker found him two months after his disappearance and whether the case was considered a murder investigation.
Deranek said a preliminary autopsy had been conducted Feb. 22 at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office but that other results, such as a toxicology screening, would not be available for a few weeks. Deranek said the medical examiner told her it was very hard to determine exactly how long Macron had been in the water due to the temperature.
“It would be inappropriate for us at this time to answer detailed questions,” said Thompson.
Miller said a search was conducted along the shoreline and a plane flew over the area, but the pilot didn’t find anything to suspect Macron was in the lake.
“We were looking for footprints that would lead to the lake and we did not find any,” Miller said. “We can’t tell you why we didn’t find any and why he showed up there.”
Also addressed was a statement issued by Lafayette Trustees Lynda Bowers and Mike Costello that there was no evidence to suggest residents should be afraid. Thompson said authorities shared some information to the trustees as they were receiving questions from residents.
He said he agreed residents have nothing to fear, but adding it was also premature to say there was a murderer out there.
He also refused to answer if there were any specific indications of injuries on Macron’s body that would be a sign of foul play.
Thompson confirmed authorities believe some type of disturbance occurred in Macron’s office in the township building Dec. 16, the morning he was reported missing. Macron’s vehicle was found later that day in a parking lot by Chippewa Lake, less than a mile from where his body was eventually discovered.
When asked about the blood found in the office and on the vehicle, Thompson said the blood “has been isolated to a single source.” He also declined to specify how much blood was found at the time.
Thompson also declined to comment if perhaps Macron had harmed himself or if there were any persons of interest involved in his disappearance and death.
“Common sense tells us that we have to explore all options, including the option of foul play,” Thompson said about the case. “There is insufficient evidence in our hands at this time that we’re willing to divulge because of its ongoing nature that leads us in one direction. The answers are not quite that simple. We don’t know.”
As Thompson only took office Jan. 2, he said he was not aware of all the case details before taking office. Deranek was also elected in November and took office at the same time.