Coroner: Kirkersville Police Chief died from fentanyl overdose

The report from the coroner's office stated that two syringes were found and tested

June 1, 2018

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

The Franklin County Coroner's Office said Kirkersville Police Chief, James Hughes Jr., died from an acute intoxication by fentanyl.

Hughes Jr. had only been working as the police chief for two months before his body was discovered by the Reynoldsburg Division of Police on May 25th.

The report from the coroner's office stated that two syringes were found and tested. The first syringe tested negative, and the second syringe tested positive for fentanyl. One sandwich bag was recovered and tested positive for cocaine. A third syringe containing liquid was determined to be positive for fentanyl.

He was the second person to take the position since Kirkersville Police Chief Eric DiSario was fatally shot in the line of duty last year.