22-year-old Warren man's death ruled a homicide

WARREN — The Trumbull County coroner’s office has ruled the death of Brandon Sample a homicide from being shot in the head.

The coroner’s office said Monday that it had positively identified the body found in a rural area of Bristol Township last week as that of Sample.

The coroner’s office said it would be using dental records to identify the body, which had apparently been in that location a couple of days.

Police found the body about 10 a.m Thursday while Warren police were following up on leads in Sample’s disappearance.

Sample, 22, of Garfield Drive Northeast, left home late June 9, telling family members he was taking a friend to Akron. His father texted with him about a 4:30 a.m. Monday, but afterward, he received no further response.

Niles police found his car Tuesday morning near the Niles Greenway bike trail.

The Warren Police Department will lead the investigation through the Trumbull County Homicide Task Force.