Austen Medek Charged With Murder in Beating Death of Wife Michaela Medek in Columbus

A Columbus, Ohio man has been charged with murder months after his wife died from what authorities say were blunt force injuries, despite his initial claim that she had fallen.

Austen Medek, 39, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife, 41-year-old Michaela Medek, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records.

Columbus police responded around 3:23 a.m. on Sept. 10 to the couple’s home in the 5500 block of Englecrest Drive on the city’s Southeast Side. Officers found Michaela Medek critically injured with severe head trauma, police said.

She was transported to OhioHealth Pickerington Hospital in Fairfield County, where she later died on Sept. 14. The Fairfield County Coroner’s Office subsequently ruled her death a homicide.

Investigation Leads to Arrest

According to a criminal complaint filed by Columbus homicide detectives, Austen Medek told officers his wife had fallen and was unconscious. However, an autopsy later determined her injuries were not consistent with a fall, investigators said.

 

 Police said Austen Medek was identified as a suspect through physical evidence and witness statements gathered during the investigation.

Arrest and Charges

On Dec. 15, Austen Medek was arrested without incident by a Columbus police SWAT team. He is currently being held at the Franklin County Jail.

Court records show Medek is facing a murder charge, and the case remains under investigation.