The Grove City Division of Police had to deal with three deaths in just over an hour.
One was a suicide, one an accident and the other is being treated as they city’s first homicide of the year.
On Nov. 30, two bodies were discovered at a home in the 4100 block of Haughn Road at 10:13 a.m. At 11:37 a.m., there was a fatal accident on Interstate 71 near Stringtown Road.
Wayne Urban, 65, was found dead in his garage. Captain Steven Robinette said autopsy results confirm that the man died from a self-inflicted single gunshot wound.
Wayne’s wife Kathleen Urban, 61, was also found deceased upon arrival of police. Robinette said the preliminary autopsy results were released on Dec. 2. The results indicate that Kathleen died of suffocation, though the county coroner’s office is waiting to officially rule on the cause until the toxicology reports come back.
"The evidence we gathered is consistent with suffocation," said Robinette.
Wayne Urban was a deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and worked at the jail. The couple lived in Grove City for over 30 years.
Robinette said there were no reports of domestic problems. According to the police, Wayne Urban left a note on a neighbor’s car telling him where he could find the bodies.
The note also said the man was sorry for his mistake.
Robinette said the final ruling on Kathleen Urban’s death may not be released for six to seven weeks.
The couple attended the Grove City United Methodist Church. Robinette said Kathleen was very active in the church. They have one son who lives in Montana. Their other son is deceased.
Harold W. Ellis, 73, of Maysville, Ky was pronounced dead at the scene after his pick-up truck left the road and struck the bridge pillar under Stringtown Road.
The autopsy, released Dec. 2, determined that Ellis died from a pre-existing heart condition, not the impact from the crash.
"That certainly explains why he went off the roadway," said Robinette.
This is the third fatal crash this year in Grove City.
"We have more experience than we want in that area," said the captain.
Grove City Mayor Ike Stage commended the police department for their handling of the deaths.
"We had a real tragedy this weekend," said Stage. "We don’t have to have the coroner come to Grove City too often. Our police did a great job."
Robinette said the support services staff in the department is investigating the Urban case and the field services department worked on the traffic fatality.
Stage said the city’s thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims.
