Coach: ‘My heart is just broken’ over death of former Northmont standout athlete

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Police and the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office are investigating the death of a former standout student-athlete at Northmont High School and Wabash College who was found Saturday.

The death of Justin Woods, 24, of Clayton, has friends and a former coach grieving.

Woods was found in his residence, according to Police Chief Matt Hamlin, who said officers responded to a call Saturday indicating that CPR was needed for Woods after an apparent drug overdose.

“We went out to assist EMS responders and found a male that was not breathing and was deceased at the scene, and we are waiting for the toxicology report to complete the investigation,” he said.

TRENDING: IRS online filing system goes down hours before tax day deadline

The preliminary report surrounding Woods’ death, according to an official with Montgomery County Coroner Kent Harshbarger’s office, said that the “cause of death is still pending and it could take up to 10 weeks to get the toxicology report to rule on the death.”

Social media was flooded with notes from friends and family members sharing memories about Woods.

Megan Worman and her brother James Randall knew him well. Worman said many in the community have fond memories of Woods.

“He was best friends with me growing up all the way through high school,” Worman said. “He was always saying how much he loved his mother Dianna. He called her his ‘all-star’ mom. He will really be missed.”

Don Morel, the head football coach at Wabash, told this news organization that Woods was a valuable member of the “Wabash brotherhood.”

“Our hearts our broken with the news of Justin’s death because we here at the Wabash brotherhood really feel the loss,” Morel said of Woods, who was a member of the National Honor Society at Northmont and 2016 Wabash grad. “He was loved by everyone on campus, and that includes faculty and staff. He touched so many lives here.”

MORE: Jefferson Twp. medic involved in crash TROTWOOD

He added that Woods was a four-year contributor to the team and had Division I talent, but ended up at the D-III school because of a knee injury suffered in high school.

“He came here and played very well and was part of the 2015 championship team,” Morel said. “He will be fondly remembered by his coaches and teammates.”

Funeral services for Woods will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 20, at the Englewood United Methodist Church, 107 N. Walnut St. A visitation is scheduled for Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kindred Funeral Home, 400 Union Blvd.

Morel said there will be an influx of Wabash people at the service.

“There will be an invasion of Wabash people in Ohio on Friday for the service for Justin Woods,” Morel said. “My heart is just broken over his death, and many others will be there to pay their respect.”

About the Author