COLUMBUS, Ohio - A family is left with more questions than answers after their loved one died behind bars.
Robert Leach Jr., 23, died Saturday at Madison Correctional Institution after an Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) spokesperson said there was an "incident" that resulted in his death. Ohio State Highway Patrol said, "At this time the investigation is being handled as a homicide, no charges have been filed, and it remains under investigation."
Leach Jr. was serving a seven-year sentence on charges of trespassing, burglary, and attempted burglary.
10TV spoke with Leach Jr.'s sister, Jaclyn Leach. She is Texas right now for military training, but her heart is with her family in Ohio. She described her brother as an outgoing person with a "pure heart," but she said he had his demons too. She said he struggled with addiction.
"We were always worried something bad was going to happen - that he would find himself with the wrong crowd and then die," she said. "Never in a million years did we ever think him going to prison is where he would die ... you expect your brother, your son is going somewhere where they can get better and it is not a better place. It makes you wonder, what is better for him? It just doesn't sit well with me."
Jaclyn Leach said her brother was expected to be released from prison soon, which makes this even harder on their family.
"We just talked to one of the ladies at the prison. She said they had the paperwork sitting on the desk, getting ready to process when he could come home," she said. "He wanted to make [us] proud. That's all he ever talked about, 'I have to replay you guys back for everything I have ever done!'"
The family has started a fundraiser to help pay for a memorial service. If you would like to donate, click here.
Leach Jr.'s death remains under investigation. At this time, no charges have been filed.