Investigators suspect a man who was found dead in the haul of a garbage truck on Saturday morning was homeless and had gone inside a garbage bin to escape the weather.
“My guess is he was trying for protection from the elements,” said Fairlawn police Sgt. Randy Bartlett.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as Brian S. Raber, 49. Medical examiners ruled Raber’s death was accidental, caused by asphyxia. Investigators said the man’s injuries were consistent with a mechanical device squeezing the air from his lungs.
Bartlett said police believe Raber died inside the garbage truck. There is no suspicion of foul play.
The man’s name was released Monday after fingerprint testing confirmed his identity.
According to a 911 call, Raber was found by a Republic Waste Services truck driver at about 4 a.m. Saturday. The driver said he emptied his truck and happened to see Raber’s face in the rubbish.
“I think I just killed somebody in my truck,” he told a dispatcher, who attempted to keep him calm.
It’s still unclear where or when Raber entered the truck, police said. The truck driver picked up trash in Akron, Copley Township and Fairlawn that night.
Fairlawn police are investigating with the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office and police in Akron and Copley Township.
Police ask anyone with information about the case to call detectives at 330-670-4300.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.