A coroner has confirmed that Joey Labute (below) -- missing from Columbus Ohio since early March -- was the victim found drowned in the Scioto River on Tuesday.
Evidently, some degloving of the 26-year-old's hands and feet, and other stages of decomposition, hampered immediate attempts to identify LaBute's remains this week through fingerprinting.
Dental charts and a forensic dentist had to be consulted instead, although detectives previously indicated that, otherwise, the body they retrieved a few feet offshore this week was "in pretty good condition."
The circumstances of how Joseph 'Joey' Labute suddenly vanished from a downtown Columbus restaurant where he was socializing with family and friends on March 4th still remains a mystery, however.
Police have again said that foul play hasn't been ruled out, and, because of the nature of Labute's death and where his fully-clad corpse was discovered, his missing persons case and alleged drowning are both now being treated as "suspicious."
Joey LaBute worked for Morgan Stanley and was a 2011 graduate of Ohio State University. It's not clear yet if he actually died in the water or was placed there already dead.
#BREAKING - The Ohio coroner who performed the autopsy on Joey LaBute says "there is a high probability that he was dead prior to going in the river."
ReplyDeleteE.R.
Gotta wonder what the final outcome of this case will be.. I truly hope the coroner sticks to this determination and moves forward. It would be heartbreaking to read this was just a simple case of drowning.
ReplyDeleteHi, C. That coroner is outstanding for adhering to the forensics and delivering such a brave ruling -- LaBute's autopsy findings represent a significant breakthrough in the Case of the Drowning Men; nearly all of whom were likely dead too before entering the water.
DeleteUnfortunately, though, police have broad discretion in choosing which crimes they'll investigate and prosecute and which they will not. So the ball is in the LaBute family's court now. If they want answers, and ultimately justice, then they'll have to be tenacious now.
In the meantime, R.I.P Joseph 'Joey' LaBute. Twenty-six is much too young to die.
E.R.
Mr.Rox
DeletePlease contact me at 614-565-7189 concerning the Shaffer and LaBute
investigations.
Don Corbett,
Investigator
Columbus, Ohio
Thank you, for the further information. I agree it was a very brave ruling by the coroner. I believe there's much more information to be uncovered if LE presses on and investigatws this crime.
ReplyDeleteI find it it disgusting,the coroner is being praised as being brave?!?!?! Think about that?!? What "we" accept as normal,causes us to praise,someone for DOING THEIR JOB!!!
ReplyDeleteJoseph "Joey" LaBute Jr., age 26, was last seen early Saturday morning at 12:30AM on March 5th, 2016. He was last seen by friends and cousins walking to the bar to get another drink at the Union Cafe (782 N. High St.) in the Short North district of Columbus, Ohio. LaBute's 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer was found where he parked it on Friday night, March 4th. After Joey LaBute left the table around 12:30 a.m. his cousins and friends frantically called and texted.
ReplyDeleteThe last text received from Joey LaBute’s cell phone at 1:22a.m. Saturday simply read: “Jnhstioj.”
On March 30th, a body was pulled from the Scioto River, later identified as Joey LaBute. Columbus Police consider the death suspicious and the coroner believes Joey Labute died before entering the water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6tINDWuXLo
During the autopsy, it was discovered that water was not found in Joey's lungs. Which means he did not drown. As a result, the case has been sent from missing persons to homicide. One can only hope that this is a case that is investigated! And I hope it finds justice for Joey and the rest of the individuals who have gone missing in the area. Non of them deserve this treatment!
ReplyDeleteDuring the autopsy, it was discovered that water was not found in Joey's lungs. Which means he did not drown. As a result, the case has been sent from missing persons to homicide. One can only hope that this is a case that is investigated! And I hope it finds justice for Joey and the rest of the individuals who have gone missing in the area. Non of them deserve this treatment!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update, Brandon. This is a very significant development/breakthrough in the case of the drowning men. (Would that other medical examiners had likewise done their jobs; they would have discovered the same.)
DeleteE.R.
Okay I have been following the story and I really want to know how he really died? They say no gun shots or body wounds? So, how else could he have died.. Rest in peace " joey " I really want to help it's mind though..
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