The investigation into the death of a 46-year-old Bleecker man is conclusive, Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino said. The family of Steve O’Donnell contests that.
According to Giardino, O’Donnell committed suicide on October 28, 2022, inside his home in the southern Adirondacks. The family is still offering a prize for information leading to O’Donnell’s demise.
Giardino, who has been sheriff since 2016, said, “Normally we don’t reveal that, but the public has a right to know since there’s been so much misinformation out there.” The sheriff said that a medical pathologist, state police, and county coroner Margaret E. Luck examined the material.
Regarding O’Donnell’s cause of death, Giardino declined to elaborate. “Anything that suggests giving money to investigate a homicide may be deceptive,” Giardino stated. “The family is aware that it was classified as a suicide and has a copy of everything.”
The O’Donnell family offered a $15,000 prize last summer in hopes of learning more about what they believe to be a homicide. In the fall, they increased the reward money to $20,000.
Maureen Launer, O’Donnell’s sister and a family point of contact, said, “I really do appreciate you checking in and keeping up on it because, honestly, I don’t care who’s against the reward money.”
In an attempt to reject the autopsy’s findings, Launer, of Scottsdale, Arizona, is presently conducting his independent inquiry in the hopes of finding further information concerning the death. The large cash prize has prompted people to come forward, according to the sister.
Giardino stated, “The majority of the people they’ve given us have been interviewed at least once, if not more.” According to the sheriff, several of the people questioned were attempting to “make deals based on hearsay.”
Launer had previously requested in an email that the county coroner declare O’Donnell’s death to be a murder instead of a suicide. She is convinced that there is more evidence out there and will continue to view the case as unresolved.
“It hurts so much,” Launer exclaimed. “I’ve fought tooth and nail to keep it open, and it shouldn’t be this difficult for people to obtain justice.”
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Because they are dubious about the results, O’Donnell’s family has refused to release the death certificate. Giardino had earlier claimed he was unable to produce the death certificate. According to Giardino, every official who examined the case “reached the same conclusion.” Adding, “The case is concluded.”
Before a reporter called her earlier this week, Launer had no idea that the investigation by the sheriff’s department was over. She claimed that since October, the agency had not sent her any correspondence. Launer denied to Giardino that the family received an email about the case’s outcome in November and chose not to reply.
O’Donnell was a son, a father, and a dog owner in addition to being the brother of three siblings. The graduate of Johnstown High School grew up in Caroga. He enjoyed fishing and hunting in the Land of 44 Lakes and was well known for his sense of humor.
Launer speculates that if he had been living, he would have likely benefited from the recent Arctic vortex. She remarked, “He did love the winter.” “He would be out there ice fishing, which he liked.”
Shortly before he passed away, the tradesman, who lived alone next to Bleecker Mountain, received a new certification to undertake asbestos abatements. The sister insisted that he had arrangements with his pals on October 29. “I feel like every time this has been called a suicide, it has been a disservice to my brother and disservice to justice,” she said.
