Man found near tracks in Kent committed suicide

Michelle Bair

Railroad employees made a tragic discovery Sunday morning at the trestle near Mogadore Road and Cherry Street. Keith Painter, a 44-year-old Streetsboro man, was found dead after a self-inflicted gunshot from a revolver.

Tom Decker, chief investigator for Portage County Coroner’s Office, and detectives declared the death a suicide.

“He was reported missing the night before the engineer saw his body on the railroad tracks,” Decker said.

The engineer immediately called the police, and Painter’s family confirmed his identity.

The case remains open as Kent Police Department officials further investigate for motives and other details.

“My job is to determine what caused the demean, not why they did it,” Decker said.

Until the case is closed, additional information from police is limited.