Former Bradford Man Found Dead in an Oil City Creek; Mom Seeks Funds For Funeral
Chrystal Crum is organizing this fundraiser and has asked us to help spread the word.
Hello, my name is Chrystal Crum. Most no me as Griffin. As everyone knows, my son, Michael Austin unexpectedly passed away on Saturday. I’m raising money to help pay for his funeral services and to have him transferred to Bradford from Oil City, PA. For his friends and those who can’t make it to Bradford for the funeral, there will be a small celebration of life service in Oil City, PA. Details will be posted at a later date. Thank you for your support.
A Go Fund Me fundraiser can be accessed by clicking HERE.
According to news reports, the remains of a young man who grew up in Bradford, PA, were found on Saturday in Sage Run near Pumphouse Road in Oil City.
Venango County Coroner Christina Rugh identified the remains. They belong to 23-year-old Michael J. Austin, of Oil City.
Dr. Eric Vey, of the Erie County Coroner’s Office, performed an autopsy on Monday, February 26. Preliminary findings indicate drowning as the cause of death.
Venango County 9-1-1 dispatch reports two calls for service came in at about 11:00 a.m. on Saturday asking for police assistance. Oil City Police officers were dispatched to the area of Sage Run near Pumphouse Road, about 200 feet downriver from the Wye Bridge.
A purported photo of the scene was widely circulated via text message and social media on Saturday depicting a young man dressed in navy sweats with white lettering lying on his back in shallow water near the shoreline. His body appeared to be in full rigor mortis with his arms held above him and his hands clasped. His knees were bent, protruding out of the water.