Medical examiner releases initial findings concerning death of missing Massachusetts man

NORFOLK COUNTY, MA – The Medical Examiner completed the autopsy procedure on a missing Massachusetts man that was found deceased.

While toxicology and other testing may remain outstanding for some time, the initial indications of the autopsy did not suggest foul play contributing to 45-year-old Keith McKechnie’s death, according to the Norfolk County District Attorney.

The Avon resident left his residence on East High Street on 9/7/23 and had not returned.

According to a family friend, McKechnie was found deceased Saturday afternoon.

Avon Police and Fire, working with the Massachusetts State Police and mutual aid partners, announced a search operation Saturday in furtherance of a missing persons case near an East High Street residence.

The search was focused on a heavily wooded area on the property of the home in which McKechnie was known to walk. The search efforts were focused on an old well on the property that had been previously visually searched. McKechnie was located in the well.

McKechnie’s family had reported that he had a history of mental health challenges.

No obvious signs of trauma were observed by officials on scene, including Massachusetts State Police homicide investigators assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s office.

“Our thoughts are very much with the McKechnie family tonight,” Norfolk District Attorney Morrissey said Saturday evening. “This is a very sad result.”

The matter remains under investigation by Avon Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.