Columbus police identify murder suspect and body found in pond along trail on West Side

Columbus police announced Wednesday evening that they have identified the man whose body was found hours earlier in a pond along a public trail on the city's West Side, and have obtained an arrest warrant for a homeless man they've charged with the murder.

The body of Robert K. Marsh III, 51, who previously had an address in Grove City, was found around 10:30 a.m. in a pond along the Camp Chase Trail near Wilson Road Park on the city's West Side. A person walking on the trail found the body and alerted law enforcement.

Columbus homicide detectives said their investigation determined that prior to his death, Marsh was involved in an altercation with 46-year-old John Michael Ferry that caused injuries which resulted in Marsh's death.

A section of the Camp Chase Trail was closed for several hours while crime scene investigators pored over the area, which police say has been the site of some homeless camps.

Ferry, who is homeless and earlier this year was living at the YMCA's Van Buren homeless shelter in South Franklinton, was not in custody as of Wednesday evening. An arrest warrant for Ferry has been obtained on a charge of murder.

Ferry is currently on probation for a previous guilty plea Aug. 16 to an amended charge of misdemeanor assault in connection with another altercation in April. He was given a suspended sentence of 180 days, according to court records. Costs were also suspended except for his $240 probation fee, which remains unpaid.

Police warn that if you see Ferry you should not approach him, but rather call 911 immediately. If you have any information about this case, you are asked to call Columbus police or Crimestoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).