TOLEDO, Ohio — The death of a 19-year-old man with developmental disabilities was ruled a homicide by the Lucas County Coroner's Office after he was found tangled in his harness inside a transport van in west Toledo seven months ago.
Ethan Kleinhans' death was caused by asphyxiation due to neck compression, according to the coroner's office.
According to a report obtained from the Toledo Police Department, first responders received a call on March 3 stating that Kleinhans was unconscious while in the van on Hallgate Avenue. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
At the time of his death, Kleinhans lived in a house in Perrysburg.
The Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities provided WTOL 11 with the following statement:
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ethan. Our hearts go out to Ethan's mother, family, and the many staff who love him. We are unable to provide further comment on this on-going investigation."
No charges have been filed and Kleinhans' death is still under investigation, according to TPD.