A mother went to her son’s West Portsmouth home Thursday afternoon because she couldn’t get inside and feared something terrible had happened.
Her fears were realized.
Scioto County deputies were called shortly before 3 p.m. after the woman reported she was at her son’s house, had no key, and was worried he may have harmed himself.
Deputies responded and quickly requested EMS.
A short time later, the call was updated as a possible death investigation. The man had reportedly last been known to be well the day before.
EMS personnel were unable to get enough cell service at the scene to immediately contact the emergency room for a formal time-of-death consultation.
Deputies also noted finding a white pill at the scene that was identified as cetirizine hydrochloride, a common antihistamine. The report does not indicate that the medication played any role in the death.
Coroner transport was requested, and a report was taken.
The available information does not state the man’s cause of death, and the presence of the coroner does not by itself indicate foul play. Coroners routinely respond to unexpected or unattended deaths so the circumstances can be documented and the cause and manner of death determined.
What the report does make clear is that the call began with a mother standing outside her son’s home, unable to get in and afraid he might be in trouble.
This time, that fear ended in tragedy.