COLUMBIANA COUNTY Officials rule death of man a homicide

Authorities are asking for the public's help to solve the case.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Columbiana County authorities have said a local man whose body was found Tuesday was murdered.
"Clearly, this was a homicide," county Prosecutor Robert Herron said Friday.
Michael Williams, 37, of Greenwood Road, Rogers, was found in his car Tuesday morning. His death was termed suspicious.
Herron said his office is investigating several leads but he asked anyone with information about Williams' death to come forward.
The investigation is not at a standstill, Herron said. "We do have some leads that we're running down."
Williams' car was found a short distance off Greenwood Road about a quarter of a mile away from his driveway. He lived in a mobile home a long distance from the road.
"We're trying to establish if he was coming or going," Herron said.
About the victim
Williams worked at a Youngstown steel manufacturing plant. He was divorced and had no criminal record. His father lives in the area and his mother lives in another state.
"There's no known motive," said Herron. "We're trying to establish one."
Authorities have not revealed information about Williams' injuries and why law enforcement officials were initially unsure of the cause of death.
Herron said he is waiting for results from an autopsy that was being performed by the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office. That office has performed autopsies for the Columbiana County Coroner's Office for some time.
Herron said the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office will perform additional tests, including blood work, that will take several weeks to complete.
wilkinson@vindy.com