Editor’s Note: Some may find the content in this report disturbing.
PORT CLINTON, Ohio (WTOL) — The Bureau of Criminal Investigation has released its final report on the recovery of 14-year-old Harley Dilly.
The Ohio teen’s body was found inside the chimney of a Fulton Street home in Port Clinton on Jan. 13, after being missing for nearly four weeks.
The report states that Harley was found standing on the floor of the chimney on the second floor of the home. Above him was a vent. His coat, eyeglasses, sweatshirt and a Cleveland Browns Baker Mayfield jersey were pushed through the hole. The vent cover was found near the clothing.
Agents were able to reach through the vent opening to discover Harley. The wall was removed and the brick chimney was opened to recover the young teen. His body was in an advanced state of decomposition.
The interior of the chimney measured 9 inches by 13 inches. Harley was found with his arms bent at the elbows and both of his elbows were up near his head. Clothing items were located on the floor of the chimney, including sweatpants, slip-on shoes, a white sock and a black sock. A blue flashlight also was located and retained as evidence.
In pictures, his coat is seen hanging on a door. The report explained that a Port Clinton officer picked it up off its original location on the floor to assess whether it was possibly Harley’s, and placed it on the door. The coat was an Old Navy brand, size large 10-12 boys.
Investigators say the boy climbed an antenna on the side of the home. He slid down the chimney feet first. Authorities believe the clothing later was pushed through the vent openings to try to create space for him inside the chimney.
Questions initially arose around the clothing and a mattress being found on the floor of the bedroom. According to the report, Harley was never inside the house, as there were no signs of a sleeping area, of food being eaten, or of any use of the bathrooms.
