More than a week after the body of a missing Lafayette Township trustee was discovered in a lake, Medina County authorities continue to refuse to release any details about his death.
A little-known Ohio law allows journalists — and no other members of the public — to view preliminary autopsy reports held by coroners and medical examiners. But the Medina County Prosecutor’s Office, which acts as the coroner’s legal counsel, told the Beacon Journal this week that the county coroner, Dr. Lisa Deranek, can’t comply with the law because she doesn’t have any records of the autopsy performed on Lafayette Township trustee Bryon Macron.
Medina County contracts with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office to perform autopsies.
Deranek received a verbal report over the phone regarding Macron’s autopsy, but received no physical report to show media, Medina County Assistant Prosecutor Mike Lyons said.
“The coroner does not have any of these items in her possession at this time,” Lyons said, “so there’s nothing that she can provide.”
Contacted Friday, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office declined to provide the documents because they are Medina County’s records.
“For any out-of-county casework, you’ve got to go through the county it came from,” spokesman Chris Harris said. “We don’t comment on out-of-county cases.”
When a reporter explained that Cuyahoga County deferred to Medina County to provide the records, Lyons acknowledged that journalists were being blocked from accessing records they’re legally entitled to view.
“It’s an odd situation,” he said. “It’s just the nature of the situation.”
Asked if the Medina County coroner would request a physical copy so journalists could view it, Lyons responded, “I don’t think she has an obligation to do that.”
He took issue with a reporter describing the withholding of Macron’s autopsy records as a loophole in the law.
“I wouldn’t call it a loophole,” Lyons said. “Our coroner has not been provided the records. Until it’s in the hands of the coroner who has jurisdiction, we don’t have the ability to provide it.”
Macron disappeared from his home Dec. 16. A kayaker found his body floating in Chippewa Lake Feb. 21.
Last week, officials set up a news conference that attracted journalists from at least seven local news agencies — and then refused to answer reporters’ questions.
Officials would not disclose Macron’s whereabouts before his disappearance or whether his body had visible signs of injury. They also refused to provide details about blood found in Macron’s township office and vehicle, which was found near the lake in which his body was later discovered — including specifics of where blood was found and how much was discovered in either location.
Macron’s final autopsy report is expected to be complete in a week or two. Investigators are waiting on toxicology reports to determine whether Macron had alcohol or drugs in his system.
Even after the final report is complete, journalists might not have access to it. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has recently said autopsy reports are not public records, even though reporters argue Ohio laws state otherwise.
While reporters struggle to obtain information on Macron’s death, the community is preparing to mourn him.
Funeral services and visitation for Macron have been scheduled. Visitation is from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at A. Ripepi & Sons Funeral Home, 18149 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights.
The funeral service is set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, 11680 Royalton Road, North Royalton.
Macron, 45, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will be buried at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road, Rittman.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Bryon Macron Benevolent Fund at any Huntington Bank.
Macron, who worked as a national sales representative for a jewelry wholesaler, is survived by his wife of 23 years, Victoria, three children and other family.
He had been a trustee since 2010 in the township of about 5,000 people.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-2569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.