Kirkersville chief died of overdose, autopsy finds

NEWARK — The short-time police chief for the village of Kirkersville died of an accidental drug overdose in May, according to an autopsy report released Friday afternoon.

The Franklin County coroner’s office determined that James Hughes Jr., 35 and on the job for about two months, had fentanyl in his system when he was found in the bathroom of his Reynoldsburg residence in late May.

The drug, a synthetic painkiller often mixed with heroin, has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths in the state in recent years.

There were two syringes found near Hughes, according to the autopsy report. One revealed no drugs, but the other tested positive for fentanyl. A plastic sandwich bag was positive for cocaine.

The cause of death was noted as "acute intoxication by fentanyl."

Hughes was the third police chief in a year in Kirkersville, a tiny village in southwestern Licking County.

Chief Eric DiSario was shot and killed in May 2017 after responding to a call of a gunman and hostages. The ex-boyfriend of a woman who worked at a Kirkersville nursing home also killed two women and himself in the incident.

Jeff Finley, who was hired as the next village police chief, resigned after nearly six months on the job, citing ongoing disagreements with the village mayor. A replacement for Hughes has not yet been named.

The head of the union representing Columbus police officers strongly disputes that politics played any part in the arrest of porn actress Stormy Daniels on Wednesday night.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was arrested after a performance at the Sirens strip club. The charges were dropped Thursday morning. Daniels has said she slept with Donald Trump before he became president.

Daniels’ lawyer said some of the officers had social media pages that appeared to be very much in favor of Trump, who has repeatedly denied having had sex with Daniels.

Union president Jason Pappas said Friday the officers applied charges of illegal sexual contact indiscriminately, charging two other dancers at the club in addition to Daniels. Columbus police have said the officers’ motivations will be reviewed.

Pappas noted that the undercover team included female and black officers. He said it was “absolutely untrue” that the arrests were politically motivated.

Daniels also performed Thursday night in Columbus, at Vanity Gentlemen’s Club, baring her breasts but not touching any patrons. A host warned several times beforehand there would be no touching.