On October 30, 2022, at approximately 2:24 p.m., the Nelsonville Police Department was dispatched to 5175 State Route 78, Buchtel, Ohio, for a questionable death. Upon arrival, a male was found deceased from a fatal head wound. The Athens County Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the scene. Chief Scott Fitch requested BCI to process the scene and also requested assistance from the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office. First Assistant Prosecutor Meg Saunders, Chief Investigator Jay Barrett and other Investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene. Sheriff Rodney Smith and his deputies as well as the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office began to assist in the investigation. During the investigation, a suspect was identified and Athens and Meigs County deputies began checking residences in an attempt to locate the suspect.
Brian K. Hart, 32 of Landaker Road, Pomeroy, Ohio, was located at his residence and taken into custody. Hart was transported to the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office where he was interviewed by Chief Barrett and Chief Fitch. Hart was subsequently charged with Murder, a felony of the first degree, and transported to the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail.
Chief Fitch would like to thank Athens County Prosecutor Keller J. Blackburn, First Assistant Meg Saunders, Chief Investigator Jay Barrett, Sheriff Rodney Smith, Athens County Coroner’s Office, Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office Investigators, Athens County EMS, and the Nelsonville Police Department.
