Monroe County Man Found Dead

From the: Times Leader, Martins Ferry, Ohio, Thursday, January 16, 2003

THE MONROE County Sheriff's Office is awaiting results of an autopsy on a Monroe County man whose body was found near his Lewisville home Wednesday morning. "There are not signs of foul play at this point," according to Monroe County Sheriff's Capt. Curtis Shreves. Information from the sheriff's office reveals that the body of Jim Criswell, 50, 50615 TR 15, Lewisville, was found Wednesday at 9:47 a.m. following a search of the wooded area around Criswell's home.

Criswell was reported missing Monday by his sister, who told deputies that no one had seen her brother since Jan. 8. She said when she'd been at Criswell's home Jan. 9, the television was on and Criswell's car was in the driveway. When she returned on Monday, she said, everything was still the same. An officer from the sheriff's department went to the Criswell home but was unable to make contact, according to the sheriff's department. Sheriff's deputies searched the wooded area near Criswell's home Tuesday and checked with Criswell's neighbors but were unable to locate Criswell.

Early Wednesday morning, deputies from the sheriff's office, Monroe County Mounted Search & Rescue, Monroe County Emergency Operations Center, K-9 units from Belmont and Tuscarawas County and volunteers searched the area surrounding Criswell's home once again. Criswell's body was found about 300 yards from his home in a wooded area.

According to the sheriff's office, the Monroe County coroner was called to the scene and ordered an autopsy, which will be performed in Licking County. Capt. Shreves said preliminary indications point to exposure as a contributing factor.

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