Overdoses likely cause of death of Centerville couple

KEY POINTS

A couple identified as Brian J. Halye, 36, and Courtney A. Halye, 34, were found dead in their Centerville home after two children in the home called 9-1-1 saying their parents were unresponsive Thursday morning.

• The county coroner says deaths appear to be accidental overdoses; heroin-fentanyl-related
• Brian Halye was a Spirit Airlines pilot
• Two children in the home called 9-1-1 and reported their parents wouldn't wake up                

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UPDATE @ 3:02 p.m. (March 17)

Two of the four children who found their Centerville parents dead in their bedroom of apparent drug overdoses attended Spring Valley Academy.

Friday the school released a statement regarding the tragedy.

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"Spring Valley Academy learned yesterday morning that the parent and step-parent of two of our students passed away. We are still learning the details of the tragedy and don't want to engage in speculation and certainly want to respect the privacy of these students and their families. At the same time we are doing all we can to provide all appropriate support for them and all their classmates who are affected by this heartbreaking loss. As a Christian community we take comfort in the promise of ultimate healing, restoration, and resurrection but at the moment we are deeply grieving with our students and their families."

UPDATE @ 9:37 a.m. (March 17)

Betz said "preliminary indication is probable accidental drug overdose.”

Betz added that since Jan. 1, 2017, Montgomery County has had 155 accidental drug overdoses. He said the current fatal mix of drugs most seen is heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil.

Overdoses likely cause of death of Centerville couple Overdoses likely cause of death of Centerville couple

UPDATE @ 8:10 a.m.

Jacob Castor, the former husband of Courtney Halye, died in Aug. 2007 from an accident drug overdose, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

The preliminary cause of death for Brian and Courtney is still unavailable from the coroner’s office.

Cause of death

Autopsies have been completed on the Halye, but their preliminary cause of death is not available and still under investigation, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office early Friday.

Additional details could be released later Friday, according to the coroner’s office.

The deaths of the Centerville couple may be related to fentanyl, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office Director Ken Betz told this news organization.

“From what I gather from Centerville Police, it could be consistent with what we’re seeing with fentanyl products in our community,” said Betz.

Their deaths appear "drug related due to paraphernalia found at the scene," according to Officer John Davis, the Centerville Police spokesman.

Courtney Halye was convicted of a drug possession charge that was later expunged in 2010, according to police records.

A full medical exam will be performed on Friday.

Commercial airline pilot

On Thursday, Spirit Airlines confirmed Brian Halye was a pilot working for the company.

“Captain Hayle served at the airline for just over nine years,” Paul Berry, the company spokesman said. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Captain Halye.”

Halye flew his last flight March 10, according to Spirit Airlines.

Federal Aviation Records reviewed by this news organization show Brian Halye had an airline pilot's certification with commercial privileges. The records additionally show Halye had a flight instructor certificate and ground instructor certificate.

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9-1-1 call

Centerville Police Department released two 9-1-1 calls made by two children in the home where Brian and Courtney Halye were found dead Thursday morning.

A 13-year-old boy told the dispatcher, "my two parents, I just woke up, and my parents are on the floor. My sister said they are not waking up."

His sisters found their parents dead on the floor of their bedroom upstairs.

He said his parents had been fine the night before.

The dispatcher determined the four children were in the home were ages 13, 11, 10 and 9.

One of the three girls also called 9-1-1 and said to the dispatcher, “my mom's on the floor and my stepdad, ... they're not waking up ... we just woke up for school.”

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Police, medics respond to scene in Centerville Police, medics respond to scene in Centerville

A blended family 

The Halyes were a blended family, according to Centerville police. Brian and Courtney each had two children from previous relationships.

Brian Halye’s two daughters were picked up by their mother from the scene Thursday morning, according to Centerville police.

Courtney Halye’s son and daughter were likely taken in by family members. Their father, Courtney’s former husband Jacob Castor, died in 2007 at age 27.

The Halyes purchased their home on East Von Dette Circle in summer 2013. The neighborhood, Pellbrook Farm, is just southwest of the Ohio 725-Wilmington Pike intersection. The quiet suburban cul-de-sac features homes valued around $150,000 to $225,000.

Warren County Court records show Brian Halye was divorced in 2011 in a shared parenting case.

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At least one of the children attends Centerville City Schools.

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A look around the neighborhood: