Churubusco death ruled murder; police seek public’s help

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Capt. Robert LaFountain (left) and Lt. Scott Heggelke of the New York State Police talk with the media Monday about the Aug. 20 murder of Ravin H. Miller of Churubusco. (Staff Photo/Kelli Catana)

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October 26, 2009

By SUE BOTSFORD The Press Republican Mon Oct 26, 2009, 08:58 PM EDT

By CASEY RYAN VOCK

Contributing Writer

PLATTSBURGH — After more than two months of investigation, State Police investigators believe that Ravin Miller was strangled to death in his Churubusco residence.

“The Aug. 20 death of Ravin H. Miller has been ruled a homicide as a result of the investigation, the autopsy, and the toxicology exams that we have now received,” Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Robert LaFountain said at a news conference this afternoon.

“I spoke with Dr. (Michael) Sikirica today at about noontime, and he has determined the cause of death to be asphyxia due to strangulation.”

Miller, 51, was found dead on Aug. 20 at about 11:40 a.m. by his father, Harold, in his home at 7585 Route 11 in Churubusco.

At that time, authorities did not release the cause of death, and rumors circulated throughout the community.

“The responding BCI investigators noted that there were several inconsistencies at the scene, which led them to believe that the scene had been tampered with,” LaFountain said. “As a result of that, the State Police Troop “B” Forensic Identification Unit was called in and the scene was processed.”

The tampering of the murder scene was an attempt to make Miller’s death appear to be a suicide, according to LaFountain.

Investigators were not releasing details of how the scene was tampered with or how the death was made to appear a suicide.

LaFountain also said “the mode of strangulation will not be disclosed at this time.”

Because the local pathologist was on vacation at the time of the death, Clinton County Coroner David Donah authorized the removal of Miller’s body and ordered an autopsy, which was conducted by Dr. Michael Sikirica at Albany Medical Center on Aug. 22.

“We knew something was amiss, but sometimes there is a plausible explanation,” LaFountain said. “That is why we wanted to bring in a forensic investigator.”

He said that rumors tend to circulate whenever there is a death, especially in a small community. He added that Miller was well known in the area, having worked for the Clinton County Highway Department and as a contractor.

“The cause of death has been released,” LaFountain said. “That should dispel quite a few of the rumors. The information we have provided is based on fact.”

He said a lengthy investigation was necessary in order to ensure that the cause of death was accurately and properly determined.

“That takes painstaking investigation by the police, district attorney, as well as a forensic pathologist. Homicides and death investigations are complex by nature, and we wanted to be absolutely certain that (homicide) was the case before this information was released.”

LaFountain would not release any information on the possible motive for the murder, saying only that it was still “under investigation.”

Police would not disclose who last saw Miller before his death.

However, investigators have learned that the man did return home from work on Aug. 19.

“So the time of death would be between the late afternoon on Aug. 19 and when we received the call at approximately 11:40 a.m. on Aug. 20,” LaFountain said.

“(The investigation) was never stagnant; it was an ongoing investigation. I can assure the public that all of the resources of the State Police as well as that of the district attorney will be utilized to be sure that whoever is responsible for this is brought to justice.”

There have been ongoing interviews since the discovery of the body.

“(But) the State Police are not releasing any information concerning suspects at this time,” LaFountain said.

State police are also still investigating whether Miller’s murder was targeted or a random act of violence. LaFountain said that there should be a heightened sense of concern for people in the area while the investigation continues.

“There is a public safety concern that we have, so it will be our objective to solve this and make an arrest as quickly as possible,” he said. “I would say that whenever there is a murder suspect on the loose, there is always a public safety concern, not only in this case, but in all murder cases.”

Police hoped the investigation would be completed as quickly as possible, and LaFountain said that investigators would not rest until they apprehend the guilty person or persons.

With no statute of limitations for homicides in New York state, LaFountain said State Police would investigate the murder as long as necessary.

Anyone with any information concerning the circumstances surrounding Miller’s death is urged to contact Senior Investigator John Donohue with the New York State Police Troop “B” Violent Crime Investigation Unit in Ray Brook at 897-2000, Ext. 2042.