Found Deceased OH - Bryon Macron, 45, Lafayette Township, 15 Dec 2016

  • #261
The problem with that theory is there were no footprints in the snow between Mr. Macron's car and the lake. Even if he had walked out onto a partially frozen lake, died then later went underwater, there should have been evidence of him walking from his car to the lake. The initial search for him after he want missing was very poor.

These details in these meeting minutes from 2 years ago and the public silence since then are highly suspicious. The idea of Mr. Macron having a meeting with an "angry citizen" is a red flag. The mention of his inquiries about activities of the service department in the weeks leading up to his death also seem important. JMO, from the remarks in the meeting minutes, news media stories and now letting the case go cold, it appears some people in local government know what happened to Mr. Macron, but aren't talking. JMO.

In a worst case scenario, for example, if Mr. Macron was involved in some shady business or job activity that caused his death, that doesn't justify leaving his killer to escape prosecution. No one deserves to die and no killer deserves to escape justice. It's just wrong, IMO.

Very suspicious.

So somebody drove him and dumped him in the lake off a bridge upstream and then drove his car to where it was found? If there were no footprints anywhere, then that is the only conclusion that can be drawn. It had been my understanding that there was no real ground search. I must've missed the report that there were no footprints around the lake.
 
  • #262
So somebody drove him and dumped him in the lake off a bridge upstream and then drove his car to where it was found? If there were no footprints anywhere, then that is the only conclusion that can be drawn. It had been my understanding that there was no real ground search. I must've missed the report that there were no footprints around the lake.

Its a bizarre situation. IMO, that sometimes indicates information is missing from the investigative reports. Here's a link to one news story that mentions no footprints were found at the lake

New questions surround the death of local trustee

"Sheriff Tom Miller was questioned Thursday as to why dive teams never went in.

“I think if we thought it was appropriate at the time, if we had found something that would indicate we thought he was in there, that would have been done,” he said.

The only search of the lake was done along the shore and by air.

“We were looking for footprints that would lead to the lake and we did not find any. I can’t tell you why we did not find any and I cannot tell you then why he showed up there,” Sheriff Miller added."

BBM

IIRC, an early theory of local LE was that Macron had staged his own disappearance. When his body later turned up in the lake, they changed it to suicide.

It's possible they didn't search the entire shoreline on foot. Someone could have put his body into the lake in a more remote or wooded area, then left his car parked where they found it.

Google Maps
 
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  • #263
Owutatangledweb, I'm bringing forward some of your links from early in this thread, just as a refresher for this case.

Maps of the area from Macron's office to the location of his car

Found Deceased - OH - Bryon Macron, 45, Lafayette Township, 15 Dec 2016

Why would someone hack the web site of Chippewa Village?

Found Deceased - OH - Bryon Macron, 45, Lafayette Township, 15 Dec 2016

Note there are other roads that access the lake shore, including a boat ramp on the opposite side of the lake.


Also, here's a 2014 article about Bryon Macron attending a meeting about a proposed high pressure gas pipeline that a company named NEXUS wanted to build through the area

NEXUS officials again contacting residents

Disagreement about such a pipeline could account for early morning meetings with angry residents, etc.
 
  • #264
Deleted. Duplicate post.
 
  • #265
So, I'm new to this forum and it's very possible this topic has been addressed and talked up and down, but I came across the meeting minutes from the Lafayette Township Hall back in 2017 and there is some really interesting dialogue that occurs between Mrs Macron, her private investigator, and the the township trustees,. My interest was peaked at page 6, second paragraph. (see attached)

Curious if anyone else has looked into this?

Great to have you aboard, Silencedoogood. This is an excellent find. Thank you for sharing!
 
  • #266
Still could be some kind of deal that went bad. Could go to either theory. Suicide OR some meeting that went bad.

IMO, suicide is not a viable theory. IIRC, no water was found in his lungs at autopsy. I don't believe someone in any state, let alone presumably a highly distressed state, could stab himself multiple times, bleed heavily, drive himself to the lake, and, upon inhaling for the last time, make entrance into a frigid lake. The timing would have to be perfect, and it simply makes no sense. IMOO
 
  • #267
IMO, suicide is not a viable theory. IIRC, no water was found in his lungs at autopsy. I don't believe someone in any state, let alone presumably a highly distressed state, could stab himself multiple times, bleed heavily, drive himself to the lake, and, upon inhaling for the last time, make entrance into a frigid lake. The timing would have to be perfect, and it simply makes no sense. IMOO

It's also difficult to explain the defensive stab wounds he had on both his forearms.
 
  • #268
It's also difficult to explain the defensive stab wounds he had on both his forearms.

Thank you, Betty P. I had forgotten about those. Yes, the defensive stab wounds to both forearms, too. Nothing about this to me anyway makes suicide even a remote possibility. I'm completely baffled by this case, how the coroner arrived at suicide, and what's going on in Medina County. Very curious.
 
  • #269
Does anyone know if the autopsy has been released yet and if/in what manner any evidence was preserved?
 
  • #270
Owutatangledweb, I'm bringing forward some of your links from early in this thread, just as a refresher for this case.

Maps of the area from Macron's office to the location of his car

Found Deceased - OH - Bryon Macron, 45, Lafayette Township, 15 Dec 2016

Why would someone hack the web site of Chippewa Village?

Found Deceased - OH - Bryon Macron, 45, Lafayette Township, 15 Dec 2016

Note there are other roads that access the lake shore, including a boat ramp on the opposite side of the lake.


Also, here's a 2014 article about Bryon Macron attending a meeting about a proposed high pressure gas pipeline that a company named NEXUS wanted to build through the area

NEXUS officials again contacting residents

Disagreement about such a pipeline could account for early morning meetings with angry residents, etc.

Thanks for the reminders Betty!
 
  • #271
  • #272
Does anyone know if the autopsy has been released yet and if/in what manner any evidence was preserved?

Some information from the autopsy was released to the news media. The autopsy was performed by the Cuyahoga County ME, but results were given to the Medina County coroner, who released some information to the news media.

Unfortunately, Ohio AG Mike DeWine was successful in getting the Ohio Supreme Court to ban release of all autopsy reports to the news media and public. Unlike most other states, you'll never learn much about an autopsy report in Ohio. LE and prosecutors now only have access to that information.
 
  • #273
Unfortunately, Ohio AG Mike DeWine was successful in getting the Ohio Supreme Court to ban release of all autopsy reports to the news media and public. Unlike most other states, you'll never learn much about an autopsy report in Ohio. LE and prosecutors now only have access to that information.

How long ago did this happen? The autopsy request form is still active on the Cuyahoga County ME website, and it states that you aren't even required by law to provide contact info...

Request an Autopsy Report Form - Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner

I doubt very much you'd get one related to an open investigation, but in general, they still appear to be requestable.
 
  • #274
How long ago did this happen? The autopsy request form is still active on the Cuyahoga County ME website, and it states that you aren't even required by law to provide contact info...

Request an Autopsy Report Form - Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner

I doubt very much you'd get one related to an open investigation, but in general, they still appear to be requestable.

I suppose it's worth a try. It may only be available for family members of the deceased, though. The Supreme Court decision is only about a year old and AFAIK hasn't been contested by anyone other than the news media. Many counties, including Cuyahoga (IIRC), objected to the argument that details of final AR's be kept secret. It will be interesting to see how each county interprets this decision in coming years.

Justices refuse to reconsider Pike County autopsy secrecy ruling

Ohio Supreme Court shields full autopsy reports in slaying Rhoden family

The court decision was made in relation to the Rhoden family massacre in Pike County, OH. Oddly, last year the Ohio AG's office voluntarily decided to release preliminary autopsy reports in that case to the news media. They claimed preliminary AR's are not covered by the Ohio Supreme Court decision - sort of splitting their own hairs. Before the decision, applicable law was vague and incomplete. After the decision, it's even more confusing.

With the Macron case, the news media will have to push for release of his final AR and that decision will probably be up to Medina County and BCI. As the law stands now, they can view the preliminary AR. JMO, IANAL.

Ohio Supreme Court allows newspapers to review Rhoden family preliminary autopsy reports

Supreme Court orders release of full autopsies from Pike County murders

It's all pretty confusing.

ETA: to clarify, I think only immediate family members can request a copy of the final AR. Who knows?
 
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  • #275
I was going to say (again) that lack of water in the lungs would mean he was dead when he went into the water and could not be suicide. But I decided to look a little deeper, and found a detailed discussion of drowning. A few interesting points that challenge my assumption, quoting:

The lack of water found in lungs during autopsy does not necessarily mean there was no water at the time of drowning, as small amounts of freshwater are readily absorbed into the bloodstream.
...........

In forensic pathology, water in the lungs indicates that the person was still alive at the point of submersion. Absence of water in the lungs may be either a dry drowning or indicates a death before submersion.[29]
............

Forensic diagnosis of drowning is considered one of the most difficult in forensic medicine. External examination and autopsy findings are often non-specific, and the available laboratory tests are often inconclusive or controversial. The purpose of investigation is generally to distinguish whether the death was due to immersion, or whether the body was immersed post mortem.
(Much more in this section)

Drowning - Wikipedia

So although Occam’s Razor seems to point to murder rather than suicide, the absence of water in Macron’s airways does not necessarily make murder a slam dunk forensically.
Thank you for posting this interesting Wiki article, Lilibet. I find one of the sources it cites particularly interesting:

“It is commonly believed that in at least 10% of drowned people laryngospasm occurs, thus occluding the airway. This is based on the finding that 10% of drowning victims at autopsy have little or no water in their lungs.4 However, these are autopsy findings, not necessarily proving the absence of water in the lungs at the time of drowning. Fresh water is readily absorbed from the lungs and most dry lung autopsies were from fresh water victims.6 Also, anaesthetists have been able to intubate an asphyxiated patient after agonal relaxation of the larynx in patients with laryngospasm. Hypoxia and hypercarbia are both factors leading to laryngeal relaxation. This practical evidence conflicts with the theory that the closed larynx keeps water from entering the trachea.

Associated with laryngospasm, there is a mucous outpouring in the bronchi and bronchospasm.2 Both of these factors may help to prevent water entry with terminal relaxation. Laryngospasm occurs more commonly in adults than children and is believed to be facilitated by other factors, for example alcohol ingestion.“ (BBM)

Several sources report alcohol was found in Bryon’s system, including the two below:
“Medina County coroner Lisa Deranek said alcohol was present in Macron's system.”
Cause of death for Lafayette Township's trustee remains 'undetermined'

“Macron’s toxicology reports showed positive results for alcohol. An initial drug screen noted the presence of amphetamine, which has Deranek said could be attributed to the decomposition process.”
BCI to take over investigation into former Lafayette trustee Bryan Macron's death
 
  • #276
I was going through older articles and realized I’d forgotten a lot of things, such as:

“[Medina County Coroner Dr. Lisa] Deranek has said Macron suffered six stab wounds, including a long wound on his neck.

‘None of the wounds alone caused Macron’s death,’ she said. ‘They would cause some blood loss, but not his death.’”

“Leading up to Macron’s death, [Former sheriff’s Capt. David] Centner previously said Macron accrued a ‘large amount’ of financial debt and engaged in other ‘personal behaviors’ that reportedly were unknown to his family and friends.

[Mrs. Macron’s attorney, Richard] Lillie, however, has said Macron’s financial situation was ‘not at all dire.

‘We don’t know if the financial problems caused him to say or do anything ... but we don’t believe that it did.’”
BCI to take over investigation into former Lafayette trustee Bryan Macron's death

“It was later reported by the sheriff's office that Macron’s vehicle was spotted on surveillance video at the administration building and seen leaving the office around 6:30 a.m.”

“The lake was not searched at the time [when Bryon was first reported missing], despite Macron’s vehicle being found there; the sheriff’s office reported the lake was nearly completely frozen at the time and police searched the inlets and outlets, and a plane completed overhead surveillance.”

“He was found less than a mile away from where his vehicle was left at a public lot near the lakeshore.”
Big questions remain one year after trustee's disappearance, death

“Sheriff’s Capt. David Centner provided an update on the investigation; surveillance video shows Macron’s vehicle was at the township administration building on Wedgewood Road at 1:50 a.m. Dec. 16, 2016, and blood later determined to be his was found in the offices and bathroom, including shoeprints matching those Macron had on when his body was discovered.

No additional blood or DNA belonging to anyone else was found at the scene, Centner said, and there was no proof anyone was either in the township office or in the car during this time period.”

“The [Bryon’s] vehicle was seen leaving the office at 6:24 a.m. Dec. 16, and was seen passing a residence by the lake about 10 minutes later; about an hour later, a township employee called police after discovering the office scene and the vehicle was found around 8:45 a.m. at the public parking lot at Chippewa Lake.”

“Centner said Macron’s laptop was sent to FBI headquarters in Virginia; Macron reportedly changed his password and installed security software before he disappeared and local authorities were unable to get into it.”
Macron's death ruled 'undetermined' by medical examiner

“Medical examiners found six stab wounds on Macron's body, including a long wound on his neck.

[Medina County Coroner Dr. Lisa] Deranek said the direction of the wounds suggest they could have been self-inflicted, but there isn't any evidence to prove they were.”

“Surveillance cameras around the area captured Macron's SUV driving to his office around 1:50 a.m. Dec. 16 and leaving around 6:30 a.m., but even those weren't enough to determine whether anyone else was in the building or car with Macron that day.”

“Deranek brought up other hypotheses during the news conference, such as hypothermia or another water-related cause of death, but she emphasized that they were simply guesses and not based on facts.

She also said there wasn't enough evidence to call the death a suicide.”
Medina County officials conclude cause of Bryon Macron’s death ‘undetermined,’ find no evidence of others involved - News - Akron Beacon Journal - Akron, OH

“Macron suffered a stab wound on the right side of his neck, but it did not strike any vital organs, the report says. He also suffered superficial wounds on the right side of his neck and another on his right forearm. He also had two others on his left forearm and another on this left shoulder.”
https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/bry...-his-widow-searches-for-clues?template=ampart

“News 5 took all of the information released Monday to private investigator Tim Dimoff, who's familiar with the case.

‘That computer will probably tell us a lot of what happened and probably solve the 'why,' Dimoff said, referring to Macron's computer, currently with the FBI in Quantico.

Dimoff said he is familiar with the Macron family and what they think about the investigation.

‘The family just doesn't believe he would commit suicide,’ he said.

He said he agreed months ago when information was first released. But after seeing the new details released Monday he's changed his mind.

‘With their evidence? That really points to the fact he drove his car, he drove to the lake. That's a fact, so we have an individual that was very distressed, hardship situation, and he decided to commit suicide,’ he said.”
Bryon Macron's cause of death "undetermined"

I tend to agree with Mr. Dimoff.
 
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  • #277
I was going through older articles and realized I’d forgotten a lot of things, such as:

“[Medina County Coroner Dr. Lisa] Deranek has said Macron suffered six stab wounds, including a long wound on his neck.

‘None of the wounds alone caused Macron’s death,’ she said. ‘They would cause some blood loss, but not his death.’”

“Leading up to Macron’s death, [Former sheriff’s Capt. David] Centner previously said Macron accrued a ‘large amount’ of financial debt and engaged in other ‘personal behaviors’ that reportedly were unknown to his family and friends.

[Mrs. Macron’s attorney, Richard] Lillie, however, has said Macron’s financial situation was ‘not at all dire.

‘We don’t know if the financial problems caused him to say or do anything ... but we don’t believe that it did.’”
BCI to take over investigation into former Lafayette trustee Bryan Macron's death

“It was later reported by the sheriff's office that Macron’s vehicle was spotted on surveillance video at the administration building and seen leaving the office around 6:30 a.m.”

“The lake was not searched at the time [when Bryon was first reported missing], despite Macron’s vehicle being found there; the sheriff’s office reported the lake was nearly completely frozen at the time and police searched the inlets and outlets, and a plane completed overhead surveillance.”

“He was found less than a mile away from where his vehicle was left at a public lot near the lakeshore.”
Big questions remain one year after trustee's disappearance, death

“Sheriff’s Capt. David Centner provided an update on the investigation; surveillance video shows Macron’s vehicle was at the township administration building on Wedgewood Road at 1:50 a.m. Dec. 16, 2016, and blood later determined to be his was found in the offices and bathroom, including shoeprints matching those Macron had on when his body was discovered.

No additional blood or DNA belonging to anyone else was found at the scene, Centner said, and there was no proof anyone was either in the township office or in the car during this time period.”

“The [Bryon’s] vehicle was seen leaving the office at 6:24 a.m. Dec. 16, and was seen passing a residence by the lake about 10 minutes later; about an hour later, a township employee called police after discovering the office scene and the vehicle was found around 8:45 a.m. at the public parking lot at Chippewa Lake.”

“Centner said Macron’s laptop was sent to FBI headquarters in Virginia; Macron reportedly changed his password and installed security software before he disappeared and local authorities were unable to get into it.”
Macron's death ruled 'undetermined' by medical examiner

“Medical examiners found six stab wounds on Macron's body, including a long wound on his neck.

[Medina County Coroner Dr. Lisa] Deranek said the direction of the wounds suggest they could have been self-inflicted, but there isn't any evidence to prove they were.”

“Surveillance cameras around the area captured Macron's SUV driving to his office around 1:50 a.m. Dec. 16 and leaving around 6:30 a.m., but even those weren't enough to determine whether anyone else was in the building or car with Macron that day.”

“Deranek brought up other hypotheses during the news conference, such as hypothermia or another water-related cause of death, but she emphasized that they were simply guesses and not based on facts.

She also said there wasn't enough evidence to call the death a suicide.”
Medina County officials conclude cause of Bryon Macron’s death ‘undetermined,’ find no evidence of others involved - News - Akron Beacon Journal - Akron, OH

“Macron suffered a stab wound on the right side of his neck, but it did not strike any vital organs, the report says. He also suffered superficial wounds on the right side of his neck and another on his right forearm. He also had two others on his left forearm and another on this left shoulder.”
Bryon Macron: The mystery of the Lafayette Township trustee’s death continues as his widow searches for clues - News - Akron Beacon Journal - Akron, OH

“News 5 took all of the information released Monday to private investigator Tim Dimoff, who's familiar with the case.

‘That computer will probably tell us a lot of what happened and probably solve the 'why,' Dimoff said, referring to Macron's computer, currently with the FBI in Quantico.

Dimoff said he is familiar with the Macron family and what they think about the investigation.

‘The family just doesn't believe he would commit suicide,’ he said.

He said he agreed months ago when information was first released. But after seeing the new details released Monday he's changed his mind.

‘With their evidence? That really points to the fact he drove his car, he drove to the lake. That's a fact, so we have an individual that was very distressed, hardship situation, and he decided to commit suicide,’ he said.”
Bryon Macron's cause of death "undetermined"

I tend to agree with Mr. Dimoff.

I’m inclined to agree with PI Dimoff too. Has there been a report on what was found on Macron’s computer by the FBI?

If suicide, why the stabbing at the office and then the drive to the lake? Perhaps he was hoping to make it look like murder (for life insurance) but couldn’t do the stabbing effectively? I wonder if there was life insurance and how recently it was purchased. Was he secretly gambling? His poor family!
 
  • #278
I’m inclined to agree with PI Dimoff too. Has there been a report on what was found on Macron’s computer by the FBI?

If suicide, why the stabbing at the office and then the drive to the lake? Perhaps he was hoping to make it look like murder (for life insurance) but couldn’t do the stabbing effectively? I wonder if there was life insurance and how recently it was purchased. Was he secretly gambling? His poor family!

I've heard rumors that the FBI has not been able to hack in the computer, that it was very locked down. These are just rumors - not provable.
 
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  • #279
Piggybacking off of my post from a few days ago about the Township Hall meeting minutes, there is an officer from the MCS mentioned in that meeting. Again, my attention perked up when I saw Macron and that officer mentioned in the same Gazette article ran in 2013. Just an interesting piece of information that links the two men years prior to the crime. This could really have no significance whatesoever, but it's an interesting connection nevertheless.
 

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  • #280
The problem with that theory is there were no footprints in the snow between Mr. Macron's car and the lake. Even if he had walked out onto a partially frozen lake, died then later went underwater, there should have been evidence of him walking from his car to the lake. The initial search for him after he want missing was very poor.

These details in these meeting minutes from 2 years ago and the public silence since then are highly suspicious. The idea of Mr. Macron having a meeting with an "angry citizen" is a red flag. The mention of his inquiries about activities of the service department in the weeks leading up to his death also seem important. JMO, from the remarks in the meeting minutes, news media stories and now letting the case go cold, it appears some people in local government know what happened to Mr. Macron, but aren't talking. JMO.

In a worst case scenario, for example, if Mr. Macron was involved in some shady business or job activity that caused his death, that doesn't justify leaving his killer to escape prosecution. No one deserves to die and no killer deserves to escape justice. It's just wrong, IMO.

Very suspicious.

Betty P, I agree with each point you've made. IMOO, how this case was handled just stinks of coverup. To me, it's unconscionable that the county officials would blindly accept the suicide narrative.
 

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