On July 21, 2020 at 4:29 pm the Marion County Central Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a male identified as John Welch who advised that he had killed a man. Officers from the Marion Police Department responded to 476 Saint Gallen Avenue and began an investigation. It was soon learned that indeed a homicide most likely had occurred and that the body and other evidence would be located on the St. Gallen property.
Detectives from the Marion Police Department as well as the Crime Scene Unit of Ohio BCI responded to the scene to further conduct this investigation. As of July 22, 2020 at 3:00 pm law enforcement was still on the scene.
As a result of this call Jonathan P. Welch, 32 years of age was arrested at the scene and is currently being held at the Marion Multi-County Jail on bond violation charges. The case is still very active and information gathered is being shared with the Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan for further review. The body recovered at the scene was transported to the Toledo Coroners Office where an autopsy will be performed on July 23, 2020.
Chief Bill Collins would like to thank the members of the Ohio BCI Crime Scene Unit, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this investigation. No further information will be available until family members have been notified. Any further information will be forthcoming in the form of a release as it is deemed necessary.
On July 23, 2020 members of the Marion Police Department Investigative Unit, Ohio BCI, Marion County Coroner’s Office and Marion Prosecutor Ray Grogan traveled to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office to attend the autopsy of the homicide victim located on 07/23/20 at 476 Saint Gallen Avenue in Marion. As a result of this autopsy it was confirmed that the victim was a one Jasper A. Braddy, 33 years of age of Marion. It was also confirmed that the victim had been shot prior to being buried in the back yard. The suspect Jonathan P. Welch has been further charged with Tampering with Evidence, and Abuse of a Corpse in relation to this investigation. The investigation is continuing and further charges on Welch are expected.