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Steubenville man killed in former mill

STEUBENVILLE – A 51-year-old Steubenville man was found dead this morning in the former RG Steel Steubenville plant.

City Police said today they believe Joseph C. Marshall was killed while trying to cut copper electrical lines on the mill property, which is now owned by Strauss Industries.

Acting Police Chief Joel Walker said a Strauss Industries employee discovered Marshall’s body and called the police department at 9:45 a.m. today.

“We believe the deceased was on an electrical tower and either died from the electrical shock when he cut into the live wire or died from the fall to the ground,” Walker said.

Police Capt. John Young said Marshall may have entered the mill along a path from state Route 7 Saturday night.

“A Strauss employee said they lost power between 11:30 p.m. and midnight Saturday. At this point we are not sure if that incident is connected to Mr. Marshall’s death,” noted Young.

Marshall was arrested by city police in March and charged with attempting to steel copper wire from the former steel mill property.

Walker said Marshall was given a no contact order and told to stay away from the Strauss Industries property for one year.

“Strauss Industries is fully cooperating with our department as we continue our investigation into this death. I sincerely hope this incident will serve as a warning to those few people who believe they can steal copper pipe and wire without consequences,” continued Walker.

“We have been fearful of a fatality like this. We found several paths leading down the hillside and into the mill from the highway. We never want to see anyone killed in this manner and hope others will learn from this tragedy,” stated Walker.

The police notified a member of Marshall’s family early this afternoon of his death.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

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