Fourth Avenue death investigation continues

    Washington Police Chief Greg Goodman said the police department is making progress on the investigation into the death of Robert Blankenship, who died Nov. 22 after he was found unconscious outside the Fourth Avenue Bar and Grill. Goodman said that the department would likely issue a press release in the next two weeks concerning the information it has gathered in the past four months.

    ?We?re trying to get this wrapped up soon,? said Goodman.

    In early December, the police department confirmed that it was doing a homicide investigation and that it had identified two persons of interest in Blankenship?s death, both of whom were believed to be from Michigan and in the construction industry. Goodman reported that investigating officers Lyle Hansen and Rick John went to Michigan in December to see if they could collect any data on the persons of interest. Goodman said that they did find useful information during their search but that he was not at liberty to divulge what it was.

    Goodman also said that the police have received Blankenship?s autopsy report. Again, he said the report contained valuable information for the homicide investigation but that he was unable to share it.

    The police department is still in the process of contacting witnesses and compiling data about the death. Goodman said the police have already interviewed between 40 and 50 persons who were either at Fourth Avenue Bar that night or who had any contact with the persons of interest identified in December. He said the police have not arrested anyone in connection to the death. 

For the full story, see the March 5 edition of The Washington Evening Journal