NEW PALESTINE — A man was found dead outside his home Tuesday night, Feb. 16, by a family member who had stopped by to check on him.
Thomas Bruno, 64, was found in the snow outside a side garage door at his home on Anton Way. The location is off County Road 700W south of U.S. 52.
Capt. Robert Harris, public information officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, said Bruno lived alone and the last time anyone had spoken to him was around 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, just prior to the storm approaching the area.
“Unfortunately, it appears the deceased had been outside for some time,” Harris said.
A concerned relative went to check on Bruno after the family could not reach him.
Harris said there were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play. An autopsy was scheduled, but Harris noted investigators do not think there was anything suspicious about the death.
Officials are not sure if the victim had fallen or suffered a medical emergency while he was outside. In addition to the heavy snow, the temperature over the previous two days ranged from 4 degrees to 19 degrees.