Man charged as result of death probe

Van Wert independent/submitted information

PAYNE — A Payne man has been arrested on a charge filed in connection with the death of Cary Parsons.

Parsons, 50, also of Payne, was found dead in his kitchen at 202 E. Townline St. in Payne on Saturday by deputies who were called to the residence.

Andrew J. Martin, 26, has been charged with  preliminary counts of illegal manufacturing of drugs, a third-degree felony, and corrupting another with drugs, a felony of the second degree.

“It is our belief Mr. Martin provided a controlled substance that he manufactured to Mr. Parsons, which we believe might have contributed to the death of Mr. Parsons,” said Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers. “As this investigation continues, I feel more criminal charges will be considered by the prosecuting attorney.”

After Parsons’ body was found, Sheriff Landers brought in crime scene investigators from the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation to help process the Townline Street residence.

Also involved in the investigation that led to the arrest of Martin were the Payne Police Department and Paulding County Coroner Dr. Joseph Kuhn.

Payne EMS and Antwerp EMS units also assisted investigators at the scene.