Homicide ruled out in case of woman found in Miami County ditch, officials say

UPDATE @ 6:48 p.m.: Homicide has apparently been ruled out as a cause of death in the case of a 38-year-old woman found in a ditch in Miami County Saturday morning, officials say.

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According to the Miami County Coroner’s Office, there were no apparent injuries on the body of Alicia Paulus, of Sidney, who was found in a ditch along Loy Road.

A preliminary report from the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office also found nothing that would have caused her death, which prompted homicide to be ruled out.

The last person to see Paulus alive was her boyfriend, who was arrested five hours before and a-mile-and-a-half from where Paulus’ body was found.

He was, however, arrested on charges unrelated to Paulus’ death, Miami County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

At this point, he has not been charged in connection with her death.

Investigators are waiting on results of the toxicology findings to determine the cause of Paulus’ death.

UPDATE @ 1:30 p.m.:

The female body found in a ditch along Loy Road has been identified as 38 year-old Alicia M. Paulus of Sidney, according to a release from Miami County Sheriff Dave Duchak.

This investigation is still ongoing.

If anyone was in the area of Loy Road and Alcony-Conover Road between midnight and 7 a.m. Saturday morning and observed anything suspicious, please contact the Miami County Communication Center at 937-440-9911. Additionally, if anyone was with Paulus in the last 24 hours or has any information, also contact MCCC.

Anonymous tips can be left on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.miamicountysheriff.org.

FIRST REPORT:

A female body was found in a ditch near the 7900 block of Loy Road near Fletcher Saturday morning, News Center 7's Steve Baker reported.

Deputies say the body was found under suspicious circumstances.

The body has been taken to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office for autopsy.

If you have any information on the circumstances or identity of the victim, please contact the Miami County Sheriff's Office at 937-440-6085.

Got a tip? Call our monitored 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com.