The Tribune

Indicates 23-year-old may have died of heart problems

Preliminary autopsy results released by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office show heart problems may have been the cause of death for 23-year-old Steven Conley of Kitts Hill.

Conley, a former inmate of the Lawrence County jail, complained of tightness in his chest Dec. 14 and was subsequently transported by Lawrence County EMS to St. Mary’s Medical Center, Ironton Campus, where he was pronounced dead.

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office says the preliminary cause of death appears to be an infection to a heart valve.

The report also indicates Conley did not ingest any caustic substances in an attempt to end his life.

Toxicology reports are still pending.

Conley had been housed in the jail on charges of first-degree complicity to aggravated robbery and fourth-degree trafficking in drugs. He was being held on a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

Conley was arrested in October after a raid at the Southern Hills Motel in South Point. The Lawrence Drug and Major Crimes Task Force conducted the search at the motel netting two arrests, 132 oxycodone pills, nine Xanax pills, various drug paraphernalia and $466 in cash.

Conley had pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless has requested an independent investigation of the death by the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association.