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Death ruled accidental

Joshua Hepler
Man found in creek suffered head injury

The death of a man whose body was found Saturday morning in Sullivan Run in Butler has been ruled accidental.

Joshua T. Hepler, 30, of Butler died of a severe head injury that he suffered possibly after he slipped and fell into the stream near the outfield of Kelly Automotive Park, said Butler County Coroner William Young III.

Young said the ruling followed an autopsy conducted Saturday evening.

Hepler's body was discovered about 8:30 a.m. near the swinging bridge where West Diamond Street meets Sullivan Run. The only visible injury he had when found was a bump on his head, authorities said.

Young pronounced Hepler dead at the scene a short time later.

Hepler may have been walking home when he apparently slipped while sitting or standing on a concrete footer at the stream.

Hepler, who lived nearby on Virginia Avenue, landed on his head.

Toxicology reports are still pending but alcohol or drugs were not believed to be contributing factors in the death, Young said.

The accident is believed to have happened between 2:30 a.m., when Hepler made a telephone call, and 8:30 a.m., when his body was found, Young said.

“We're still investigating,” Butler Deputy Police Chief David Adam said this morning. “We don't have all the information yet.”

He released no further details about the police investigation.

The city fire department, Butler Ambulance Service and state police assisted Butler police.

Authorities said Hepler, a graduate of Butler High School, had recently started a new job at Lowe's home improvement store.

The Thompson-Miller Funeral Home in Butler is handling funeral arrangements.

His obituary is on Page 9.

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