Death of Marion man under investigation

MARION - The death of a Marion man is under investigation.

Marion Police Lt. Scott Elam said Richard Thompson, 63, was found near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street around 4 a.m. Sunday. Thompson was alive and suffering from injuries to his face, side and the back of his head. Elam said Thompson was drunk and not responsive to officers' questions.

Thompson was taken to St. Luke's Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Now, police are trying to ascertain what happened.

'We don't know if he was assaulted or if he was hit by a car,” Elam said. Thompson could have fallen as well, he said.

The State Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy on Tuesday. While the final report would take weeks to be completed, Elam said police were hopeful the preliminary findings could offer some direction.

Police have put together a timeline of where Thompson was before he was found. However, Elam said they are looking for more information to piece together what led to his death.

'We'd still like to know if somebody saw him,” he said.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com