ASHLAND — Authorities say it’s still too early to determine the manner in which Brent Hayton died, but police think it could have been an accident.
“Right now, we believe this was an accident from falling from the hillside,” said Dave Lay, chief of the Ashland Police Division. “But it’s an ongoing investigation.”
Two adolescents found Hayton’s body face down in a creek off Walnut Street in Ashland on April 8, near the east side of Ashland Cemetery.
A preliminary autopsy produced by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office brings Hayton’s death into focus, but still leaves questions.
“It is my opinion that Brent Hayton died of drowning with multiple blunt force injuries,” reads the report, a copy of which Ashland Source reviewed through a public records request.
The report lists multiple injuries to Hayton’s head, including a skull fracture. It also lists Hayon’s spleen had “multiple lacerations” and that two of his ribs were fractured, along with contusions — or bruises — to other ribs and his left lung.
Lay said the hillside from which police believe he fell is 25 feet in length.
“There are numerous jagged rocks on the hill,” he added.
However, the manner of death is still listed as “pending,” according to the preliminary autopsy report.
Ashland County Coroner’s Investigator Jenny Taylor said authorities are still waiting on toxicology results, which could take up to 16 weeks.
A thorough investigation
Lay emphasized police do not believe the public is in any danger.
He thanked residents who have come forward with information. But he said detectives are still conducting a “very thorough” investigation because of the circumstances.
“This was an outdoor, unattended, unwitnessed death. That’s why BCI was called,” Lay said.
Police have what they believe to be the last footage of Hayton, walking west on Quarry Street at 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning, Lay said.
“That’s very close to where he was found,” the chief said, adding he couldn’t definitively say why Hayton was in the area, other than to add Hayton had a history of walking home.
Hayton’s home address is listed on the preliminary autopsy as 1231 Township Road 1426, which is located within Milton Township.
Lay said police have collected video footage from “several establishments downtown,” but declined to be more specific.
“We’re contacting them all and collecting all the video evidence,” he said.
Lay encouraged anyone who has not come forward with additional information to contact APD detective James Coey at 419-289-3639, extension 1050.
A tragic past
Hayton’s daughter, Kyla, was murdered in November 2019 — along with her unborn child and boyfriend, Todd Burkhart.
Larry Dwayne Rogers, 35, was convicted in the slayings. He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences at Mansfield Correctional Institution, according to state correctional records.
Kyla Hayton, a 2016 graduate of Ashland High School, is buried at Ashland Cemetery, according to her obituary.
She died nine days before her 21st birthday.
“She enjoyed the outdoors, swimming and tanning at the beach, and decorating her home,” reads the obituary. “Most of all she loved spending time with her daughter, who was the light of her life.”
Brent Hayton posted to Facebook an image of himself standing in front of his daughter’s grave site on Nov. 20, 2020.
The caption reads: “Kyla, I brought you some fresh flowers today … we sat together and talked for a while. I love you so much and I will see you soon baby girl…”
