Police provide update on death of Middletown man — here's what the investigation found

MIDDLETOWN — The March 14 death of Middletown resident John Edward Corbett has been ruled accidental, according to a Middletown police press release.

The department declined to offer any further comment on the matter, deferring to the state medical examiner's office.

When the Daily News followed up with the medical examiner's office, RIDOH public information officer Joseph Wendelken stated in an email, "Our investigation into this case is not yet complete. We have not established a cause of death yet."

Middletown Police were called to 916 West Main Road for a wellness check at 11:30 a.m. on March 14, where they found the 39-year-old Corbett deceased. Police initially called it a "suspicious" death.

The Middletown Police Department Detective Unit, in conjunction with the State’s Medical Examiners Office, then began a comprehensive investigation into the cause of Corbett’s death.

At a press conference in Middletown on March 17, Police Chief Anthony Pesare had stated, “As we await the medical examiner’s conclusion, it would be premature for anyone to speculate about the nature of John’s passing."

However, a subsequent press release issued by the Middletown Police Department on the afternoon of April 12 stated, "Based on the Middletown Police investigation, it has been determined that the cause of death was accidental, and no foul play is suspected."

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Middletown police say Jon Edward Corbett's death was accidental