CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The family of Manuel Woods, the Ross County man reported missing two weeks ago, has offered a possible explanation for his death while the community expresses concerns about the search efforts undertaken by local authorities.
Woods, who reportedly left a residence on Stoney Creek Road south of Chillicothe with his dog Milo, vanished while venturing into Scioto Trails State Park. Extensive searches of the park’s rugged terrain yielded few clues. A breakthrough came when Milo was found wandering near Airport Road.
Yesterday, a family member confirmed on social media the discovery of Woods’ remains. Today, the family released a statement suggesting a heart attack may have been the cause of death. “They believe that he had a heart attack from climbing up and down the steep hills,” the statement reads.
However, the search efforts conducted by the Ross County Sheriff’s Office have drawn criticism from some community members. Several residents have expressed frustration on social media platforms, questioning the timeliness of a full-scale search for Woods.
As of yet, the Sheriff’s Office has not issued any official statements regarding the search or the cause of death.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses.