Body found in Fremont

FREMONT — Officials are investigating a death as "suspicious" after a body was found Friday on Darr Road near Tindall Bridge in Fremont.The cause of death of the man is unknown and his identity has not been confirmed, but the death is being treated as suspicious until a cause of death can be determined, said Chief Dean Bliss of the Fremont Police Department.Bliss said police are attempting to determine if the death is connected to a missing persons report filed Thursday for a Fremont man."We're following any and all leads at this point," Bliss said.Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton said as the death investigation continues, authorities also are carrying out a separate investigation into a missing person, Eric Edwards Jr., 34. At 6:18 p.m. Wednesday, before the man was officially reported missing, his wallet and credit cards were found near the intersection of Buchanan and McGormley roads in Fremont.If authorities confirm the dead person is the missing man, the two investigations will be combined, Hilton said. The autopsy currently is scheduled for Monday morning, he said Sunday. The body of a black male was found at 8:11 p.m. Friday near Tindall Bridge, near the Sandusky River, by persons searching for the missing man, Hilton said.The police department and the sheriff's office are working together to investigate the case, and help also has been requested from the state's Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Bliss said.An autopsy will be carried out this weekend by the Lucas County Coroner to determine a cause of death and determine the identity of the deceased, Bliss and Hilton said in a joint statement issued Saturday afternoon.Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fremont Police Department or the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office.