FAIRLAWN: Police in Akron, Fairlawn and Copley Township are trying to figure out what happened to a person found dead Saturday morning in the back of a garbage truck.
According to Fairlawn police, this is what happened:
A Republic Waste Services truck driver on his route about 4 a.m. called police and said he suspected there was a body in the back of his truck.
Police quickly confirmed the driver was right — there was a body in the truck, which was near Fairlawn Town Centre, the group of West Market Street plazas near Skyway Drive-In.
But police don’t know where the garbage man may have picked up the body because the truck driver also collected garbage in Akron and Copley Township during the same shift.
Police have identified the body, but haven’t released the person’s name or any other information pending notification of kin.
Fairlawn police are working with the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office and police in Akron and Copley Township to figure out where the body was picked up because that department will lead the investigation.
Fairlawn police have asked anyone with information or questions about the case to call its detectives at 330-670-4300.
Amanda Garrett can be reached at 330-996-3725 or agarrett@thebeaconjournal.com.