Blunt force trauma caused Allen County Man's death

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The man found dead on the north side of Allen County on Saturday has been identified as Gregory A. Funich. The Allen County Coroner’s office determined Funich died of blunt force trauma to the head.

The Allen County police department was called to Funich's home at 5315 Lonesome Oak Court around 11:40 a.m. Saturday when his partner found the 42-year-old man deceased at his residence.

Allen County police happened to have arrested a man on Friday they later believed to be connected to Funich’s death.

While police investigated the scene, Funich’s partner informed them that Funich’s car was missing.

Allen County detectives ran the vehicle’s information and found that Michael R. Alexander, 33, Auburn, had been arrested on Friday by IPFW police while driving the car.  Alexander was suspected of DUI and resisting law enforcement, according to the release.

The ACPD arrested Alexander again on a preliminary charge of aggravated battery.

Officers filed probable cause describing Alexander’s state during arrest as well as statements he had made at that time and during a later interview.

Alexander told police he had been alone with Gregory Funich from about 6:45 p.m. Thursday to the early morning hours of Friday.  Alexander said he had been smoking crack cocaine with Funich during that time and had left the home to purchase the synthetic drug known as “spice.”

Officers found Funich’s wallet in Alexander’s pocket as well as the victim’s cell phone and laptops in the car, the probable cause stated.  Blood stains could be seen on Alexander’s clothing and he wore a blood-soaked bandage on one of his fingers.  Several cuts were later discovered on various parts of the suspect’s body.

Alexander was booked in the Allen County jail without bond.

The case remains under investigation by the Allen County Sheriff's Department, the Allen County Coroner's Office and the Allen County Prosecutor's Office.

Funich’s death is the 23 ^rd homicide in Fort Wayne and Allen County in 2012.