Update: The Geauga County Coroner reports the cause of death for Russell King Sr., the father of Chardon shooting victim Russell King Jr., is a heroin overdose.
King was found dead in his home on the two year anniversary of his son’s death.
The official cause of death was ruled “accidental acute intoxication by the combined effects of heroin and ethanol.”
(Originally posted 2/27/2014)
The father of a Chardon shooting victim was found dead this morning, exactly two years to the day that teen shooter T.J. Lane opened fire on Chardon High School students, killing three.
The body of Russell King Sr. was found around 5:15 a.m. in his home. He was the father of Russell King Jr., one of Lane’s victims.
Chardon Local Schools Superintendent Michael P. Hanlon, Jr. released this statement in response to the tragic news:
Words cannot express how deeply saddened we are to learn of the loss of Russell King Sr. The thoughts and prayers of the Chardon Schools are with the King family during this extremely difficult time.
Foul play is not suspected and Russell’s cause of death is currently being investigated by the coroner.
Lane was given three consecutive life sentences without the chance of parole back in March 2013.
More to come as the story develops.
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2014.
My heart is saddened by this tragedy. Rusty was a classmate of mine in the 80s at Chardon, very nice person. my prayers continue to cry out for this family. I just wish there was something more we could do!
So, so sad. One person’s horrific actions changed so many lives forever.
Broken heart
How very sad 🙁
So sad. God bless the family. Prayers are with you
…..and the punk, cowardly murderer receives three hot and a cot from taxpayers. Pathetic.
Because killing people who kill people to show people that killing people is wrong makes so much sense.
Another life ruined thanks to the actions of a little prick. The ripple effect continues…