GALLIPOLIS — The manner of death in last week’s slaying of Fourth Avenue resident Ralph Sands has been ruled as a homicide, according to Gallia County Coroner Dr. Daniel H. Whiteley, though the cause of his death has still not been released.

The body of the 58-year-old Sands was reportedly discovered shortly before 9 a.m. on Jan. 14 by a neighbor who noticed that his front door was open. The neighbor went to check on him, knocked on his door, and saw Sands face down on his couch with his hands tied behind his back, though he never actually entered the residence.

After discovering his body, Sands’ neighbor reportedly called the Gallipolis Police Department and officers responded to the scene in a matter of minutes. The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification also responded to the scene later that day.

Very little information has been released in this case as it is still under investigation. GPD Sgt. Jeff Boyers said that the police are also waiting to hear the results of the autopsy and though he would like to release more information about this case, doing so would not be in the best interest of the investigation.

According to Whiteley, it will probably take up to eight weeks before the official autopsy is released. The autopsy is being performed at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office in Dayton.

Anyone with information relevant to this case is encouraged to contact the Gallipolis Police Department.