ROSS COUNTY — The cause of death has been released for an Ohio corrections officer.
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Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) officer Andrew Lansing, 62, died from blunt force injuries to his head on Christmas Day, according to a Franklin County Coroner’s Office autopsy report.
As previously by News Center 7, Lansing died following an “inmate assault” at the Ross County Correctional Institution on Christmas morning.
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ODRC said Lansing was attacked by Rashawn Cannon. He allegedly attacked Lansing in his guard shack in the middle of the prison yard, according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus.
The autopsy report stated Lansing was found unresponsive with multiple injuries to his head and face.
ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith said on Dec. 27 that Lansing, a father and husband, had volunteered to work overtime on Christmas.
“All he was trying to do was his job, and he was doing it very well,” Chambers-Smith said.
Chamber-Smith said the attack occurred when Cannon and his unit were heading to the dining hall.
She said the inmate veered off from his group to find Lansing in his guard shack in the middle of the prison yard.
Chambers-Smith said the building was not locked. She said it was her understanding that no weapons were used in the attack.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) identified Cannon as the inmate involved. He was incarcerated on felonious assault and weapon under disability charges.
He was transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Institution while the incident was under investigation.
Lansing was laid to rest last week.
The funeral procession stretched across Chillicothe streets and mourners followed him to his final resting place, WBNS said.
OSHP continues to investigate Lansing’s death.
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