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Blue Ash Police investigating homicide after man found dead in bloody parking lot Saturday

Police originally said no sign of foul play
Posted at 11:09 AM, Mar 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-28 19:11:46-04

BLUE ASH, Ohio -- Police are now investigating a homicide after local businessman Michael M. Needham, 37, was found bloody in his company's parking lot Saturday morning on Floral Avenue.

Blue Ash police originally said there was no indication of foul play. They did not reveal the cause of death or speculate on motives at a news conference Wednesday morning at the Blue Ash Municipal and Safety Center.

"We want people to be concerned. We want people to be vigilant. We're going to bring this perpetrator to justice," said Lt. Rob Gerhardt. "We're not going to stop until the Needham family has justice for this heinous crime that was done to their family member."

Needham's body was found Saturday outside his business, Out On A Limb Family Tree and Landscape. The 911 caller said Needham's car doors were left ajar and that he was not wearing shoes. The caller reported finding blood all over the door to the business' building as if he had tried to get inside.

"There's blood everywhere ... This is very disturbing," the caller told a 911 dispatcher. "This don't happen in Blue Ash." 

Blue Ash police said it is investigating with assistance from the Hamilton County Coroner's Office and OSHA. They do not currently have any suspects.

Anyone with any information on this case is urged to contact Lt. Gerhardt at 513-745-8558
or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.