What initially appeared to be an unattended death, has turned into a homicide investigation following the discovery of a bullet lodged in the victim’s body. The victim, identified as Michael Smith, was found deceased on Thanksgiving night in the front yard of a property in southern Logan County.
The call for a welfare check came in on Thursday evening from a property owner in the 3400 block of E. County Oaks Road. Smith had been staying on the property for approximately 7-10 days, living in a tent at the owner’s permission. On that cold November night, the property owner found Smith’s body outside and promptly contacted authorities.
Deputies from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, along with a representative from the Medical Examiner’s Office, arrived at the scene. They reported finding no immediate signs of foul play, blood, or significant trauma to the body, which was clothed in three to four layers of clothing. While the death initially appeared to be from natural causes, the body was transported to the medical examiner’s office for a more thorough examination.
On Monday morning, the Medical Examiner’s Office notified the Sheriff’s Office that a small caliber bullet had been discovered in Smith’s body. This revelation led investigators to reopen the case as a possible homicide.
After obtaining a search warrant, investigators were able to piece together details of the events surrounding Smith’s death. They determined that on the night of the incident, three individuals had been at the residence. Witnesses, including neighbors, reported hearing gunshots, followed by two vehicles leaving the area.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, Aldon Owen Harmon was arrested late Tuesday evening. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Logan County Jail shortly after midnight. The Sheriff’s Office has not identified the other two individuals involved, and they have not been arrested at this time.
During questioning, Harmon admitted to being at the scene but denied involvement in the crime, instead blaming other individuals who were nearby. Investigators believe that Harmon and Smith were acquaintances, and that the fatal confrontation may have been sparked by a dispute over a stolen bicycle.
The investigation is ongoing. Updates will be provided as more details become available.
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