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Autopsies completed in double murder investigation in Belmont

No additional information on case being released

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The autopsies of Thomas and Angela Strussion — victims of a double homicide in Belmont County — are now complete.

Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas confirmed Friday that the procedures had been finished. He added, though, that no autopsy reports or information regarding the findings will be released.

“They are a crucial part of our investigation,” Lucas said regarding the reason for keeping the reports confidential.

The sheriff said the investigation of the deaths and related fire at their home on Trails End Drive, Belmont, continues.

“We are still all working hard at it,” he said of the investigators and agencies involved.

He also dismissed rumors surrounding the deaths, saying the public should beware of potentially inaccurate information circulating on social media.

“They have no idea what’s going on,” Lucas said regarding people who have posted their theories about the deaths online or talked about their ideas in the community.

Lucas had announced Wednesday that the deaths had been ruled a double homicide. Their bodies were found inside their home, located east of Morristown off of National Road, after a structure fire was reported there at about 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Lucas said Tom Strussion was 52 years old and the owner of two local Salsa Joe’s restaurants, with locations near his home along U.S. 40 east of Morristown and on Lumber Avenue in the Elm Grove section of Wheeling. Angela Strussion was 49 years old, according to Lucas. He would not release any information regarding the manner of the deaths.

“When we have something concrete, we will release it,” Lucas added.

Any residents or businesses with cameras along U.S. 40 both east and west of Trails End Drive are to call the sheriff’s office at 740-695-7933. Lucas said the front office staff will direct calls appropriately.

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