The man found dead inside a home in northeast Allen County this weekend was beaten so badly that his skull was shattered.
Gregory A. Funich, 42, was found inside his home in the 5300 block of Lonesome Oak Court about 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the Allen County Coroner’s Office said in a statement. He died from blunt-force trauma to the head and his death was ruled a homicide.
Funich’s body was discovered by his partner, who also told police Funich’s Chrysler LeBaron was missing, court records said.
An autopsy said Funich had multiple cuts to his head and face, a severe cut to his nose, another severe cut to his right ear, abrasions to his forehead and a complex comminuted skull fracture, an injury in which the skull is broken into small pieces. There was also another fracture at the base of the skull, according to court documents.
Investigators found blood spattered on the carpet and walls inside Funich’s home, court papers said.
During the investigation, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department learned that Funich’s vehicle was involved in a pursuit and arrest by IPFW police.
Michael R. Alexander, of Auburn, was arrested early Friday after a short pursuit with police.
IPFW police stopped Alexander about 4:30 a.m. Friday after seeing Alexander driving on a flat tire. Alexander opened the driver’s side door while the car was still moving and took off running. The officer gave chase and tackled Alexander in a field, court papers said.
Alexander smelled of alcohol and registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.178 on a preliminary breath test, the affidavit said. Alexander, 33, was driving Funich’s vehicle when he was arrested, had bloodstains on his shirt and pants and had Funich’s wallet, according to a probable cause affidavit.
He also began yelling, “I didn’t do anything. I’m so scared,” court papers said.
When police interviewed Alexander, he said he was with Funich for more than seven hours Friday before leaving to buy more synthetic marijuana. Alexander said Funich was fine when Alexander left his home, court papers said.
Alexander told police he got blood on his clothes when he cut himself opening a bag of fish at Funich’s home, court papers said.
Police said in court documents that the cut to Alexander’s finger appeared inconsistent with a knife cut.
Alexander is being held in lieu of $11,500 bail at the Allen County Jail on charges of aggravated battery, resisting law enforcement and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Funich’s death is the 23rd homicide in Allen County this year.
There were 24 homicides in Allen County for all of 2011.
