Mayfield Heights Man's Death Might Have Been Accidental Drug Overdose

The Lorain County Coroner’s office said a Mayfield Heights resident who was found dead in his car last week in Sheffield Village might have died from an accidental drug overdose.

Lorain County Coroner Dr. Stephen Evans said Marco Gianfagna’s death did not appear to be suspicious, nor did it likely result from a suicide.

Evans said Gianfagna, 33, had been taking daily proscribed medications for various ailments, including chronic back pain, but they don’t know the exact types of drugs that were used at this stage. His office is also checking if other drugs might have played a role.

Evans said given his age, it’s more likely he died from drugs, but he didn’t rule out that Gianfagna might have died naturally. He said it will take two weeks to determine the exact cause of death.

Sheffield Village Police found Gianfagna’s body in his 2008 silver Volkswagen Passat at 11:39 a.m. Wednesday morning in the parking lot of the Evergreen Pain Management and Rehabilitation Center at 5445 Detroit Rd.

Evans said Gianfagna was on a sales call at Evergreen and does not believe he received medication from that facility.

Sheffield Police Chief Larry Bliss said his office received a tip from the Mayfield Heights Police Department based on Gianfagna’s cell phone records that led to the car being found in the area. The coroner’s office positively identified Gianfagna on Thursday.

Evans believes Gianfagna died Monday, July 30, the day he was originally reported missing.

Funeral services for Gianfagna were held Saturday in Brecksville.