Coroner releases initial findings in shootings

When Kirkersville Police Chief Steven Eric DiSario pulled into an alley behind Pine Kirk Care Center on Friday morning, he was killed by a shotgun blast immediately after exiting his cruiser, the Licking County coroner’s office said.

The Licking County coroner’s office released its initial findings Monday in the deaths of DiSario, two female employees and the gunman at the Kirkersville nursing home. Toxicology results will come back in eight to 10 weeks.

Thomas Hartless, 43, of Utica, identified as the gunman, used the shotgun and a handgun to kill his girlfriend, Marlina Medrano, 46, a nurse who was in the nursing office at Pine Kirk Care Center. Medrano died from multiple gunshot wounds, the coroner’s office said.

The third victim, Cindy Jean Krantz, 48, a nurse aide, died from a close range shotgun wound in a nursing home hallway.

The gunman, Hartless, was found dead in the nursing office from a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head, the coroner’s office said.

The incident started at 7:50 a.m. Friday with a 911 call about an armed man, later identified as Hartless, holding two passers-by as hostages behind the nursing home. DiSario was the first law enforcement officer to respond, and in his last radio transmission he said he had the suspect in sight. The village’s part-time police chief had been working for the department for only a month and had been chief for three weeks.

The hostages escaped unharmed after Hartless shot DiSario, authorities said. Hartless then went into the nursing home and shot Krantz and Medrano before killing himself. Hartless’ car later was found at the Flying J truck stop off Interstate 70 and Route 158, just over a mile from the nursing home.

Hartless had a history of violence against Medrano, who had obtained three court protection orders against him this year.

Funeral arrangements for DiSario have been set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Grove City Church of the Nazarene, 4770 Hoover Road. Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Schoedinger Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Krantz’s funeral will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Vineyard Christian Church of Pataskala, 9286 York Road. Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service in Kirkersville is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Calling hours for Medrano will be 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Reed-Egan Funeral Home, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark. Medrano’s funeral will be private.