The .357 magnum revolver that Tipton used to take his life and to shoot Eldemire twice in the face was found propped against Tipton’s left side on the bed.
Toxicology tests on Tipton indicate there was marijuana in his system at the time of his death.
“In my opinion the death of Larry Tipton II is due to a self-inflicted, high caliber gunshot wound of the head. The wound of entrance was within the mouth,” Swinehart said in the report.
The coroner’s investigation into the Feb. 1 incident at Level 27 apartments off Southpointe Parkway is now complete, according to Martin Schneider, coroner’s office administrator. Eldemire’s death has been ruled a homicide, and Tipton’s a suicide.
Eldemire’s autopsy was released earlier his month by the coroner’s office and found that she was shot twice with the same gun. Eldemire’s toxicology test indicated she had no alcohol or drugs in her system at the time of her death. Oxford Police Sgt. Jon Varley said investigators believe Eldemire was asleep when she died.
Eldemire had broken up with Tipton just hours before her violent death.The autopsy report also revealed a note written by Tipton was found on the desk of the bedroom in Eldemire’s apartment.
Three Oxford officers visited Eldemire and Tipton on the Saturday night before the shootings when Eldemire requested police presence because she was “a little nervous” about Tipton’s visit to her Oxford apartment.
Officers had been advised by dispatch that Eldemire, 21, said Tipton owned guns, but she told dispatchers, “I don’t think he would bring any with him.”
Eldemire called dispatch at 9:56 p.m. Saturday and told the dispatcher that Tipton had turned violent at his apartment when she broke up with him. She said he started throwing things and yelling but had never turned violent on her.
The officers arrived to her apartment between 10:09 p.m. and 10:24 p.m., according to the call report. They remained on the scene for less than an hour, making contact with Tipton and Eldemire, who went to the apartment to talk.
Eldemire told police she was fine with Tipton being there and said officers could leave. They cleared the scene at 10:52 p.m., also noting that Eldemire’s three roommates were in the apartment.
Worried roommates called police again Sunday morning, saying they heard loud bangs but couldn’t get a response from Eldemire or Tipton, who were in a locked bedroom. When officers entered the room, they found their bodies.
Columbus police searched Tipton’s apartment on Cyprus Pond Road in Taylor Station, Ohio. They turned up a suicide note and empty gun case, according to documents filed in the Franklin County Municipal Court.
Staff writer Eric Robinette contributed to this report
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