MORE: Missing motorcyclist found dead in Ross Twp. woods
Following an autopsy Friday, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as 61-year-old Steve P. Ruth. He died of multiple traumatic injuries, and his death was ruled an accident, according to information released on Monday by the coroner’s office.
Dave Rader, director of Texas Equusearch Midwest, a non-profit organization that has helped in thousands of searches, was traveling to Hueston Woods on Thursday to continue the search another man who went missing four weeks ago when a member posted information about Ruth and asked it be shared.
He and other members of Equusearch knew Ruth. Rader said Ruth was last seen at Joey’s Bar on Burlington Road in Springfield Twp. on Tuesday and was heading to the Oxford area and may have traveled on Ohio 27.
That’s the route Rader and another member took looking for him. Less than 90 minutes later, Ruth was found dead.
“We immediately started to look off to the shoulder,” Rader said.
When Rader began driving the berm, he saw where something had penetrated the woods, and that’s where Ruth was found, he said.
Rader said it looked like Ruth didn’t turn and continued straight.
“I don’t think he suffered. He loved his bike, and he rode it to the end,” Rader said.
Ross Police Capt. Patrick Carr said there was no missing person report filed for Ruth. But friends started to get worried about him when he wasn’t seen at usual places and started looking for him.
Carr said it does not appear any other vehicles were involved.
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