A Meigs County man who was being sought on child sex abuse warrants took his own life when authorities attempted to question him, authorities said.
Norman Douglas Burrell was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound after the man’s wife gave Meigs County Sheriff’s Office deputies permission to enter their home, according to a press release from District Attorney L. Russell Johnson. The home was on Jordan Road in a remote area of North Meigs County, south of State Highway 68. (READ MORE: Human remains found in Meigs County)
Burrell was the subject of an investigation by Johnson’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, and one of its agents had taken out three warrants for sexual exploitation of a minor, based on child pornography photos and videos allegedly found on Burrell’s cell phone, Johnson said in the release. An agent called Burrell prior to authorities’ arrival on Thursday to let Burrell know they were coming to interview him.
When law enforcement got to the home, Burrell would not answer the door, Johnson said.
“Four deputies made entry upon receiving consent from Burrell’s wife, who had left the home at our request for her safety,” Johnson said in the release. “Deputies were on (an) upstairs floor when they heard a gunshot in the basement area.”