SPRINGDALE, Ohio -- Police found a missing Springfield Township fire lieutenant dead Friday afternoon.
Monroe police found the body of Jeff Leininger, who was last seen in Springdale Wednesday, at about 12:47 p.m. Police had earlier released a "critical missing" person alert for Leininger.
Township officials said in a news release that Leininger's death was an apparent suicide. WCPO does not normally report suicides, but chose to do so in this case because of Leininger's role in the community and the missing person alert that preceded the discovery.
"Jeff was a valued member of the Springfield Township Fire and EMS Department for over 21 years. We are all heartbroken by today’s news. He was a beloved member of our Springfield Township family. We extend our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to Jeff’s family and to the men and women who worked closely with him in providing life safety services to our community," Township administrator Michael Hinnenkamp said.
