Death Investigation Leads to Arrest of a Tangent Man

Linn County Sheriff's Office - 09/25/18 

Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports that on September 21, 2018 at 4:21 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a 61-year-old male who was unconscious and not breathing.  Paramedics from the Tangent Fire Department responded to the 31000 block of McLagan Road in Tangent and pronounced Donald Whisenhunt, a resident of the property, deceased.  Deputies with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office were called to investigate the death.


Investigators were able to determine Donald Whisenhunt had been in a physical altercation prior to his death.  Investigators learned the physical altercation occurred around 7:00 p.m. on September 20, 2018 with Donald’s nephew, Chad Adam Cheever, 45 years of age, also a resident of the property.  An autopsy by the State Medical Examiners Office showed Donald Whisenhunt had died as a result of his injuries caused during physical altercation.


On September 25, 2018 at 10:50 a.m., investigators located Chad Cheever at the Union Gospel Mission in Salem.  Investigators interviewed Chad Cheever and arrested him on charges of Manslaughter in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.  Chad Cheever is lodged in the Linn County Jail.   


This investigation is continuing.  Anyone with information on this investigation, please contact Detective John Lovik, 541-967-3950.   
 

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