Oxford News

LEBANON — Autopsy and toxicology reports for Sarah Widmer have been completed and are now in the possession of the Warren County Prosecutor's office and the defense attorney for the young husband accused of killing her.

But all are mum on the details. Charles Rittgers, defense attorney for Ryan Widmer, who is charged with aggravated murder, maintains his client's innocence,

Widmer, 27, is accused of drowning his 24-year-old wife, Sarah Widmer, in a bathtub at their Hamilton Twp. home on Aug. 11.

Last week, Rittgers filed a motion to compel the coroner's office and the state to turn over the autopsy report, as well as other evidence against his client.

"The discovery provided by the state did not include police reports, witness statements, or anything that would provide a clue as to what supports the prosecution's theory," Rittgers said in the motion filed Sept. 29. "Defense counsel, through independent research, is aware that the Warren County Coroner, Dr. Russell Uptegrove, testified at the grand jury proceedings that led to Ryan's indictment. Without the autopsy report of the transcript of Dr. Uptegrove's testimony at the grand jury proceedings, defense counsel is left to blindly guess at the state's basis for alleging that Ryan caused the death of Sarah."

After receiving the autopsy report this week, Rittgers said he still believes Widmer is not guilty, but declined to release the autopsy report or comment about it.

"I will not discuss evidence with the media," Rittgers said.

Warren County Coroner's Office Chief Investigator Doyle Burke said his office would not release the autopsy report because they have been asked not to by the county prosecutor's office.

Burke, who was at the autopsy and the Widmers' Morrow home after the alleged murder occurred, said the evidence against Widmer is more that just the autopsy report.

"It is just one part," he said.

In addition to the autopsy report, 5/3 bank records, crime lab results, River Valley Credit Union records, Sprint records, and cell phone invoices have also been turned over to the defense, according to a motion filed by the prosecutor's office.

Rittgers said he is still moving ahead for a Nov. 17 trial date, His client has not signed a time wavier for his right to a speedy trial, which means the case must be tried in 90 days.

According to police, upon arriving at the Widmer house, emergency workers found Sarah Widmer on the floor and that she "was nude and only her hair was wet. The carpet underneath her body was dry."

The affidavit for a search warrant also stated there were two blood stains — one around her head and one near her vaginal area.

Rittgers said last month the blood may have come from capillaries that burst when Sarah drown in the bathtub. Widmer said his wife was known to fall asleep in the tub, police said.

Widmer was removed from paid leave on Monday, Sept. 15. He works in sports marketing for the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau and will remain on unpaid leave until the criminal case against him is completed.