Licking County grand jury indicts Columbus resident in death of Union Township man

A Columbus resident faces multiple felony charges after a Licking County grand jury indicted them Wednesday, according to the Licking County Sheriff’s Office.

In a Thursday news release, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said the grand jury indicted Renee M. Halko, 42, of Columbus, with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and abuse of a corpse, among other charges.

Thorp could not be immediately reached for comment.

According to Thorp, detectives arrested Halko after finding the stolen vehicle of James Harrison II in Gahanna. Harrison, 56, was found dead inside his home earlier this month, and his vehicle, cellphone, computer and credit cards, among other items, were missing, Thorp said.

The release did not specify when detectives found the vehicle or when and where they arrested Halko.

About 10:41 a.m. July 5, sheriff’s deputies responded to the 100 block of Lees Drive in the Union Township to a report of a “non-breather,” according to the release. Deputies arrived and found Harrison at the scene, Thorp said.

Halko also faces charges of burglary, theft, possession of cocaine and a fentanyl related compound and firearm specifications, the release stated.

Investigators are awaiting blood lab analysis results and a cause of death determination by the Licking County Coroner's Office, Thorp said, adding the investigation remains ongoing.

Halko is listed as an active inmate on the Licking County Sheriff's Office website.

Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@gannett.com.