STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — The Cleveland Metroparks Police Department is investigating the death of a 74-year-old man who was found with a gunshot wound to his head on Saturday.
According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office, the body of Leroy Johnston of Shaker Heights was found on the ground in the vicinity of the Royalview Picnic Shelter at Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville. Johnston's death was ruled a homicide from a gunshot wound to the head.
Metroparks officials state that Johnston was found "in a remote area" of the park.
"This is an open investigation and I have no further information to provide at this time," stated Cleveland Metroparks Director of Communications Jacqueline Gerling.
Nancy Harris
I want to echo Frank's sentiments. I also didn't know Leroy, but no one should have to die this way. We all hope for a more peaceful ending. Condolences to his family..
Milan Tiff
Sad to hear about LeRoy ( as many of my child hood neighborhood friends would acknowledge ) A good friend and stand up guy, growing up ( athletically in Shaker Heights, Ohio ) A yes or no person, with nothing in between. Safe journey into the next life. Good brother. - Milan -
Drew Barkley
I tan track with LeRoy. Great teammate and contributor. I'm sorry he's passed so soon.
Louise (Jan) Campbell (Campbell)
I remember LeRoy as a nice guy from track meets mostly. Such a terrible thing to have happened to him.
Milan Tiff
Hi Jan. Nice of you to remember Lee. As kids, we would travel to inner city neighhoods looking for competition, ( athletically ) which often times resulted in situations LeRoy would take care of. Great guy . Great memory .
Mab Emsheimer (O'Connor)
So sorry to hear this.. I did not personally know him but I do remember him from Shaker and he had a really great smile and would say Hello as he passed by. My prayers for his entire family
C. Chris Hoffmann (Dimeglio)
Such sad news about LeRoy. My condolences to his family and dear friends. May his memory be a blessing.
Louise (Jan) Campbell (Campbell)
Milan, I did not know that about you guys, but the story made me smile. I like to run and have always been a fan of track and field competition. I was an avid follower of Marty Liquori's amazing performances. LeRoy was around one afternoon when I got a wild hair to try to leap over hurdles. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but on my first try, my foot caught and I went down, hurdle and all. LeRoy didn't laugh until my second try ended the same way. I sat on the track kind of laughing at myself and he came over because he thought I'd hurt my ankle.
Stevi Stephanie Baskin (Baskin)
Although I did not know LeRoy I send my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.May he rest in peace.
Stevi
Milan Tiff
Hi Jan. In response to your last message. First I never knew you had those kind of wheels. And second, during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. Marty Liquori and Steve Prefontaine were my roommates. They both had the pleasure of meeting David Berger who was my high school Track and Field teammate at Shaker and was representing Israel before being taken hostage and killed in the massacre. So LeRoy's spirit is bringing back some great memories.