Sawyer’s death has been ruled a homicide following an autopsy performed Monday by the Butler County Coroner’s Office, Birk said.
Detectives believe Sawyer was killed at about midnight Saturday or early Sunday morning. Birk said police don’t believe robbery was a motive because Sawyer had money on him when he was found.
James Elam, who lives near the trail, said he did not hear anything unusual overnight. He said in the morning he saw the body “dressed in a lot of clothing.” The victim was face down with his hands under his head or neck, he said.
Sunday’s incident was uncharacteristic of the area, Elam said.
“It’s very quiet,” he said. “We’re pretty disturbed by this.”
Sawyer has had limited contact with police, and according to neighbors, he was a loner who kept to himself, Birk said.
Anyone with information about the incident may contact Middletown police Detective Richard Bush at 513-425-7720.
This is the second homicide in Middletown this year. Last week, police released more details about the March 21 slaying of 60-year-old Donald Miller at his Texas Avenue house.
Miller was beaten to death and suffered several broken bones and severe head trauma, according to Lt. Scott Reeve.
Friends called police about 10:05 a.m. when they were unable to reach Miller for several hours. Reeve said he estimated Miller died within 24 hours of being found.
Anyone with information about Miller’s case is asked to call Detective Jon Hoover at 513-425-7796.
Staff writer Eric Schwartzberg contributed to this report
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