5 Dead After Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – ryan
- The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office said that authorities found five deceased individuals inside a home on April 15
- Authorities later determined the victims died as a result of carbon monoxide exposure
- The two adult victims, Brian “Adam” Doss and Lora Schuman, were engaged, according to their obituaries
Police said the five people, including three children, who were found inside an Ohio home died as a result of carbon monoxide exposure.
In a Tuesday, April 15 news release, the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office said authorities responded to a call on that morning of five unresponsive individuals at a residence on State Route 7 South in Clay Township.
“Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, it was confirmed that these individuals had perished inside of the residence,” Sheriff Matt Champlin said in a statement. “At this time, there is no suspicion of foul play involved in these deaths.”
“The loss of any life is sad, however a tragedy such as this is truly heartbreaking,” he later stated. “Please join me in praying for the lives lost today and the family and friends who will suffer a monumental amount of grief based upon this situation.”
Several hours later, Champlin issued an update about the deaths.
“Based upon our investigation and the determination made by the Gallia County Coroner, it has been found that these individuals perished as a result of an exposure to carbon monoxide gas inside of their residence,” he said.
The two adult victims were identified as Brian A. Doss, 36, and Lora Schuman, 35, Champlin said. The other three who died were children, and all five victims lived at the home.
The children’s names and ages have not been disclosed by police.
While authorities have reached certain conclusions, Champlin said, the investigation into the deaths continues. “As I requested earlier, please continue to lift this family and our community up in prayer. This situation is one that we all hope will never occur,” said the sheriff. “Today’s tragic loss of life has shattered and changed the lives of many forever.”
Relatives of the victims told ABC affiliate WCHS they suspect a generator was left running inside the home following storms that caused a power outage earlier in the week.
Donna McGuire, the sister of Schuman, told CBS affiliate WOWK that the three children who perished were “happy-go-lucky” and that the oldest child was almost 9.
“They were good and honest people,” she added about the victims. “They loved their kids, they loved their niece…This is a terrible disaster. We just lost our mom and now I’m gonna have to bury my sister.”
According to Doss’ and Schuman’s published obituaries, the two were engaged.
“An avid demolition derby fan, Adam was well known and loved on the local circuit, driving car #88 in every derby he could,” read Doss’ obituary.
“Lora was always seen cheering on her fiancé, Adam Doss, at the local derby,” stated Schuman’s obituary.
Doss leaves behind his parents, his two brothers, one sister and his six children. Schuman is survived by her daughter and her sister.
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Phillip Doss, a brother of Brian who called 911 after he dropped by the victims’ home that morning, told NBC affiliate Wsaz that the family is heartbroken.
“Never thought this would happen in my life, never,” Phillip said. “I mean, I’m the oldest, I thought it would be me before anybody and if I would’ve stayed with them last night, this could’ve been me. I mean, I tried to save them. I wish I could’ve saved them, but it was just too late.”