The body discovered in a drainage ditch in Greenwood on Friday was identified Monday as that of a missing 70-year-old New Whiteland man, according to the Johnson County coroner.
Werner Gadshian’s body was discovered Friday in a drainage ditch near the intersection of Swartz Crossing and State Road 135, the Johnson County coroner reported in an email to the media on Monday afternoon.
Gadshian, who has a medical history of dementia, has been missing since August 31, according to the announcement.
The cause and manner of death were unknown following an autopsy on Monday.
Coroner Mike Pruitt said in an email on Friday that a citizen walking near the ditch spotted the body and reported it to authorities. The crossroads is located between West Stones Crossing Road and Clary Boulevard North Drive, in an area with numerous companies.
The coroner stated that the Greenwood Police Department is involved in the inquiry. The coroner released a photo of Gadshian taken on US 31 south of Fry Road shortly before he was reported missing. Police and the coroner have not revealed if foul play is suspected in Gadshian’s death.
Leave a Reply