Coroner: Bodies found after Swanton fire died by homicide, suicide

SPENCER TWP., Ohio (WTVG) - The Lucas County Coroner’s Office autopsy report on the deaths of two people found after a fire in Swanton on Thursday shows one person died of a homicide and the other died by suicide.

The Deputy Coroner identified the bodies as those of Nora E. Pryba, 76, and John Pryba, 67.

The office ruled Nora Pryba’s death a homicide, saying she sustained blunt force head trauma and thermal burn injuries. It ruled John Pryba’s death a suicide, saying he sustained superficial sharp force injuries as well as thermal burn injuries. The office notes that the final cause of death for both people is pending further investigation regarding toxicology testing and carbon monoxide levels.

Their bodies were discovered Thursday morning when fire crews responded to a house fire in the 1700-block of Berkey Road.

A spokesperson for the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office said a preliminary investigation suggested the fire may not have been the cause of their deaths.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111 or the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at 419-213-4921.

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