Victim in Johnson County homicide identified

UPDATE: 

Police have identified the man found dead Friday morning in suburban Johnson County, and have ruled it a homicide, said Johnson County Sheriff Doug Cox.

The coroner ruled that Andrew Perry, 50, died from blunt force trauma to the head, Cox said.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Department will continue to investigate, and are following up on leads and interviewing those who last saw the victim.

EARLIER: 

A man found dead Friday morning in suburban Johnson County was the likely victim of a homicide.

Johnson County Sheriff Doug Cox said a man in his 50s was found dead in his home in the 2900 block of Cadogan Drive, near Ind. 135 and Stones Crossing Road in White River Township.

The neighborhood of single-family homes and townhouses is about 2 miles east of Center Grove High School.

Police did not release the man's name. Evidence indicates the death was a homicide, Cox said.

Cox acknowledged that rumors circulating in the neighborhood suggested the man had been shot, but the sheriff stressed that the cause of death won't be known until an autopsy is completed.

The victim lived in the two-story duplex home with his 19-year-old son, who uses a wheelchair. The teen spent the night with a relative and was not home when his father died, Cox said.

The victim's mother went to the home about 9:15 a.m., Cox said, and discovered the garage door open and another door ajar. She entered and found her son on the floor. She thought he had suffered a medical emergency and called for help, Cox said.

Neighbor Ralph Roller said the victim was always friendly and had a close relationship with his son and his mother.

"He's always home. He's always nice. He's always friendly. I can't imagine him having a problem with anybody," Roller said. "This is going to shock the daylights out of the neighborhood."

The last homicide in Johnson County occurred Aug. 13, when Gregory McCray, 48, shot Jonie Snider, 36, then turned the gun on himself north of Camp Atterbury.

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter:@vicryc.