UPDATE: TANEYTOWN DEATH INVESTIGATION

(TANEYTOWN, MD) – An autopsy conducted on a Taneytown man found dead in his townhouse yesterday indicates he may have died as a result of an explosion, but the investigation continues into how and why the explosion occurred.

An autopsy was conducted today at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore on the body of Carey M. Landskroner, 44, of the 400-block of Red Tulip Court, Taneytown, Md. The medical examiner ruled Landskroner died from ‘mobile trauma’ which can result from an explosion. The medical examiner has not ruled definitively on a manner of death, but did narrow it to either accidental, or suicide.

Just before 5:00 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police at the Westminster Barrack received a 911 call from a neighbor of Landskroner who said he had gone to check on the man after not seeing him for a couple of days. The neighbor reported he saw an open window covered by a blind. He moved the blind aside and saw Landskroner lying on the floor.

Maryland state troopers and Taneytown Police Department officers responded to the scene. Upon entering the home, police found the victim deceased and observed that he had sustained trauma to his left arm, leg and side.

Troopers also observed evidence that indicated some type of explosion may have occurred in the home. There were holes in the wall and the chair near Landskroner had what appeared to be charring on it.

Crime scene technicians recovered what appear to be shrapnel pieces of metal pipe from holes in the walls. Similar metal pipe shrapnel was recovered from Landskroner’s body today during the autopsy.

Investigators learned through further interviews with neighbors that some of them heard a loud bang Wednesday night from the area of Landskroner’s home. He was not seen for a couple of days, which is what prompted a neighbor to check on him yesterday. The medical examiner told investigators today Landskroner could have been dead since Wednesday night.

A thorough search of the home was conducted by explosives experts from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and State Police investigators. No explosive material was found in the home, nor were any materials found that would indicate other explosive devices had been or were about to be constructed.

The investigation is continuing.