Tyler Goodrich’s death ruled a suicide after autopsy

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office provided an update Tuesday on the death of Tyler Goodrich.

Sheriff Terry Wagner said Goodrich’s manner of death was ruled a suicide.  The final autopsy report was filed on Monday.

“The autopsy report concluded there were no signs of violence or trauma, with all skeletal portions present and accounted for,” he said.  “The only injury noted was to the neck consistent with hanging.”

Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon said the sheriff’s office completed an “extremely thorough” investigation into Goodrich’s disappearance and death.

Condon said he would complete Goodrich’s death certificate on Tuesday.

Goodrich was last seen on Nov. 3, 2023, at his home near Southwest 12th and West Burnham streets.

On March 9, Goodrich’s body was discovered in a wooded area near Highway 77 and West Pioneers Boulevard, less than 1,000 yards from his house.

Investigators believe Goodrich ran from his home to the wooded area that night and took his own life.

Authorities, families and friends had searched the surrounding area numerous times in hopes of finding Tyler.

“Over the next 16 months, hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement officers searched surrounding areas where Tyler was last seen,” Wagner said. “The extensive investigation included interviews of over 80 people, neighborhood canvasses, field and trail searches, expert-level forensic technology and equipment to search bodies of water.”

The sheriff thinks the volunteers who searched the wooded area were looking at the ground level.

A few days after Goodrich’s body was found, a man discovered clothing, a cellphone, a key and a watch 229 yards to the west.

Authorities believe the items were moved by animals.

The sheriff’s office is offering its condolences to the family.

“These past 16 months have been incredibly long and difficult, and we are truly sorry for their loss,” Wagner said. “We recognize this is not the outcome they had hoped for, but we hope they find comfort in the unwavering support and compassion from the community during this time.”

Funeral services for Goodrich will be held Thursday.

The sheriff’s office is urging anyone struggling with their mental health to reach out for support through their non-emergency line at 402-441-6500. You can also call the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.