Bloody, naked body found in Ohio shed
Police in Columbus, Ohio, investigate the discovery of a bloodied, naked man in a garden shed Monday.
January 18th, 2011
11:22 AM ET

Bloody, naked body found in Ohio shed

Police in Columbus, Ohio, are trying to identify and retrace the final hours of a naked, bloody man found dead in a backyard garden shed.

Someone had knocked on neighbor Dennis Hoover's door at midnight, but Hoover refused to open the door because he couldn't see the man, he told CNN affiliate WBNS-TV.

Hoover called 911 but police could not find anyone, the station reported. Bloody handprints were visible on Hoover's door in the morning.

After daylight, Hoover followed footprints in the snow into a neighbor's yard, where he discovered the bloodied body in the shed.

"He was covered (in blood). It looked like he went through a briar patch," Hoover told WBNS. "Just scratched all up."

Investigators were hoping an autopsy would tell them who the man was and how he was injured.

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Filed under: Crime • Ohio • U.S.
soundoff (333 Responses)
  1. johnny

    Wow, you people can argue. I just have this to say: Why can't we be friends, why can't we be friends, la, la, la,la.

    January 21, 2011 at 5:25 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Look Closer...

    Maybe it was the killer knocking at the door, trying to get another victim. Not enough detail to know for certain

    January 21, 2011 at 5:37 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Debbie

    Seems to me there were a few people here who didn't do their part entirely or this man would be alive today. We don't know how the guy ended up there, what took place before, but here's this guy who one says is naked and bloody ringing the doorbell, asking to come in. I'm not sure if I'd have let him in but I guarantee you I would have thrown him a blanket and did everything in my power to keep him on my porch until help arrived, at the least! But then I am a woman who usually stops to help anyone who appears to be in need. And ya know what, it's come back to me, cuz I've always gotten help in emergencies too, almost immediately. Think the police could have investigated a little better too! I think it boils down to a matter of the heart. Do we really care about our fellow man or not? Our society has gotten too selfish. I realize we have to protect ourselves, but ya know what, I'd rather "go out" trying to do good and help someone and meet my maker. Wonder how the homeowner felt when he found the poor guy dead?

    January 22, 2011 at 10:46 am | Report abuse |
  4. PatriotRob

    I live in the general area and everybody keeps saying 'why didn't the police get out and investigate the bloody prints, etc'... um it was like 5 degrees out. I'll be a monkey's uncle if I'd be out dragging my sorry butt through dark back yards at midnight in 5 degree weather! lol

    January 23, 2011 at 12:10 am | Report abuse |
  5. hmmm

    ban guns and get rid of cops and everything will be ok!

    January 23, 2011 at 2:59 am | Report abuse |
    • james

      Yep then the only ones with guns would be the criminals

      January 26, 2011 at 4:06 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Peanut

    What A horrible sad thing that this person had to die that way.

    January 23, 2011 at 6:51 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Carol Fifi

    In Madison WI, I saw the cops handle a guy with severe mental illness with great skill and compassion. The guy was pacing in his front yard, saying all kinds of nonsensical things, waiving his arms for hours. He looked scary. The police were amazing (and no, I don't have any police in my family/friends) and gentle with him. They took a lot of time to to talk to him and calm him down instead of using force. They're always quick to respond and I live in a neighborhood bordering a bad area. I called them once when I thought I heard something in the back yard and the officer looked around the yard with a flashlight. I'm staying in Wisconsin! I think police probably have protocol for different kind of calls and that's why they didn't get out of the squad.

    January 24, 2011 at 11:50 pm | Report abuse |
  8. suzannah

    Columbus, Ohio is no joke. If someone knocked on my door at midnight, I would not open it. It's too dangerous. The police should have looked for blood. If the man called and said there was blood then they should have checked. If he didn't know there was blood then the police would just look for someone in the area.

    January 25, 2011 at 2:25 pm | Report abuse |
    • james

      Yes Because we hear so much about how bad an area Ohio is ? I guess it could be to you if you live in Mayberry

      January 26, 2011 at 4:05 pm | Report abuse |
  9. james

    I would hope if myself or my loved one was naked , bloody ,and freezing in the snow and knocked on a door for help in the middle of the night that the person in the home would help me or them ! it's a sad world to live in when a man dies because another man was to scared to open his door. so very sad ..

    January 26, 2011 at 4:02 pm | Report abuse |
  10. michael

    You know Hoover was thinking Doh!

    January 27, 2011 at 4:22 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Vicki

    Come on people! You guys don't even answer the doors for my sweet little girl scout! Missing out on delicious cookies. How many of you are guilty of that?! Much less a naked hurt person. People are rude & selfish, and viewing these comments I'd say stupid too. This country is going to hell in a handbag. Luckily-I'm saved.

    January 27, 2011 at 5:49 pm | Report abuse |
  12. dee

    What a sad situation but lets be honest if a naked, bleeding, bipolar mentally ill man knocked on your door in the middle of the night wouldn't you take pause too?Why didn't the victim tell the man what was going on? Thats a good question maybe because he didn't want anyone to hear him and find him. Its unfair to condemn this man for not rushing into 5 degree weather for a stranger who could very well be very dangerous or being followed or chased by someone (or a bunch of people) who are armed and dangerous. Its not cowering under the covers being scared. Its using common sense. If you were watching a horror movie and the guy opened the door you'd all be calling him an idiot. In real life he would have been unwise to take such a risk as well.

    January 28, 2011 at 10:32 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Roo2you

    For those of you putting sown the police, if you can do much better...why don't you go lay your life on the line for strangers to protect them for the measly money they get paid. Seriously, is there a wage high enough for risking your own life for the sake of others? Especially when those others are not all innocent themselves? I have been on both sides of the law. What these officers do on a daily basis should be commended. They put everyone before their own family. Even to help rescue those who probably don't need rescuing. The man said there was someone that knocked but he couldn't see them. he didn't know the guy was bleeding. It could have been a home invasion. DUH, then the officers need only do a drive search unless it is stated to contact the caller. They were not asked to contact. Just to patrol the area. Didn't get out of the car because there really was no reason too. I'm not opening my door to anyone even in daylight. if they need help, they need to state to call 911. Give those officers a break. They are risking more in one hour of shift than any of you whiners will in a lifetime. You can disagree with me, but only when you put on that uniform and 50+ lb belt and look your loved one in the eyes as you leave for your job. Not knowing if you are coming back or not. Not knowing who is protecting your loved ones while you are out there protecting others. And lets not forget that the officers also put own family in danger due to idiots who want to retaliate against them for being arrested or just because they are cops. May God Bless each and every one of our emergency services for all they do and risk. No one is perfect.

    January 29, 2011 at 7:45 am | Report abuse |
    • Concordantmind

      You know something? I'm really tired of hearing this speech everytime the cops let someone die.

      February 7, 2011 at 8:31 am | Report abuse |
  14. pick1username

    Its the same everywhere, I grew up in Columbus and moved to California 6 years ago. Be thankful that the police reponded there. Our Mayor (Kevin Johnson) only protects the wealthy here. If you are not wealthy you have to fend for yourself and hope you dont get incarcerated for what you HAVE to do. The only thing that is on Kevin "No Action" Johnsons agenda is an Arena for a team he used to play for.

    January 31, 2011 at 4:04 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Bob

    When I lived in an apartment complex in Columbus in the 90's, my upstairs neighbor could be heard screaming, "just give him the money!" after a lot of heavy-footed running around. I called the police and my apartment manager (a good guy) escorted the police to the apartment who knocked on the door (about 30 minutes later). When no one answered they said there was nothing they could do and left. I said something about, what if the people inside are really in trouble, and the cop threatened to arrest me if I didn't leave. I think neighbors can take better care of each other than the Columbus police. The Columbus police just like to bully whoever is standing in front of them. Once when crossing the street before a Buckeyes game, I saw a Columbus cop wave people into the crosswalk at the same time he waved on traffic!

    February 3, 2011 at 8:52 pm | Report abuse |
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