Police investigate homicide in East Price Hill

CINCINNATI - The Hamilton County Coroner's Office ruled the death of a 79-year-old man in East Price Hill a homicide on Monday.

John Lauck, 79, was found dead at his home in the 500 block of Purcell Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 19, according to the report.

Neighbors were distraught by the news and said Lauck, who went by the name "Jack," was a man everyone in the neighborhood looked up to.

"He was a real gentlemen," neighbor Jim Thoman said. "Just a very sweet nice person and would do anything for anybody."

Thoman said he knew Lauck for the entire 12 years he's lived in the neighborhood. He described his neighborhood as safe and very tight-knit.

"This is the farthest thing from my mind, when Jack passed," he said.

He remembered Lauck as a quiet man who loved to go to church.

"He liked to politic, he was for gun rights, he was a Republican, and had lots of signs in his yard," Thoman said. "He was active."

Thoman said Lauck lived with his ailing wife, and described her as a sweet lady.

"Jack's been taking care of her, that's been hard on him, the whole family's been taking care of her," he said. "Now we worry about Vernice."

Neighbors said Lauck and his wife had nine children.

Police have not released any other details on Lauck's death at this time.

The investigation remains ongoing. Police ask anyone with information on his death to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.

Stay with 9 News and WCPO.com for updates.

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