CLARION -ðNo apparent cause or manner of death has yet been
established in the case of Coudersport native Patrick W. Ryan,
whose body was found after he went missing in mid-August.

Forest County Coroner Norman Wimer said Thursday that in the
“anatomical autopsy” for Ryan, 30, “there was nothing that stood
out.”

He added his office was still waiting for toxicology results,
and those reports are due any time, he said.

Wimer went on to say that because Ryan’s body was partially
decomposed when it was found, “what evidence that could have been
there to help determine the cause and manner of death may have been
eliminated.” He noted Ryan’s body was found about 10 days after he
died.

Investigating authorities ruled Ryan’s death a homicide days
after his body was found.

Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron said in mid-August
“the totality of the circumstances (surrounding Ryan’s death) is
very suspicious. We do suspect foul play.”

Ryan, who was living in Clarion Borough when he died, was last
seen at a bar in Clarion on Aug. 14. According to the Clarion
Borough Police, Ryan stopped in after 1 a.m. and stayed until the
bar closed. Several patrons there, including Ryan, were invited to
an after hours party, but there is no indication Ryan actually went
to the party.

Employees at the tavern, the Captain Loomis Inn, said Ryan was
approached by another young man, and a brief altercation ensued,
but Ryan moved to a different part of the bar, and there was no
further incident.

Ryan had just accepted a teaching position at Bucks County
Community College and was due to arrive in New Jersey on Aug. 18.
When he did not arrive in New Jersey, he was reported missing by
his family. His body was then recovered in a wooded area in Forest
County early the following week.

Initial visits by police to Ryan’s Clarion apartment showed the
doors and windows were still open and a fan was still running. The
sport-utility vehicle Ryan borrowed from his parents – Dr. and Mrs.
Peter Ryan of Coudersport -ðfor his upcoming move to New Jersey was
parked at his Clarion apartment.