A Dayton man and Bellefontaine woman have been charged in connection with an overdose death and an attempt to cover it up.
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WOODUM |
BROWN |
Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department began investigating Friday after Eric Pooler’s wife reported she had not heard from her husband since Wednesday.
The Logan County Sheriff’s Office located Mr. Pooler’s body inside his vehicle on Township Road 219 on Friday afternoon. The scene was suspicious and the Logan County Coroner’s Office was called to investigate.
Over the weekend, city police detectives were able to retrace the final hours of Mr. Pooler’s life and identify three individuals who they believe were with him in a Bellefontaine apartment before his death. Information from interviewing the suspects indicates Mr. Pooler, 50, died of a drug overdose.
“The other three individuals were present, failed to call for emergency assistance or attempt any first aid, and then attempted to cover up Eric’s death by staging his body and vehicle in a farm lane on T.R. 219,” officers report in a Sunday statement.
Based on that information, officers charged Dominique Woodum, age 24, of Dayton, with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence and Morgan Brown, 26, of Bellefontaine, with tampering with evidence.
Another female was interviewed, but has not yet been charged.
Chief Brandon Standley said the suspects’ blatant disregard for life is one of the most disheartening aspects of the drug problem.
“This is a stark reminder of how drug use can lead to such tragic results,” the police chief said in the statement. “Mr. Pooler’s death did not need to happen. The attempt to mislead investigators and Mr. Pooler’s family, by these three adults is not only egregious but goes to the real core of how the value of life seems to not exist in the drug culture.
“The facts will speak for themselves in this case, and show once again how the cycle of drug use and drug life can end so tragically. Our prayers are with the Pooler family during this time of great loss, and hope that justice is served on those who stood like cowards and refused to help.”
Chief Standley went on to commend his staff who put in long hours to solve this case, and thank the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Logan County Coroner’s Office, and the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance.