UPDATE: Autopsy reveals Watervliet man found dead in field was run over

March 26, 2012|By Denise Bohn | WSBT-TV Reporter

PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP — An autopsy revealed 21-year old Tyler Carr of Watervliet died from severe injuries to his chest and a torn aorta. Police say these injuries were caused from being run over by a vehicle.

Carr's body was found Sunday morning in a field behind the home in the 2500 block of Fairview Road in Pipestone Township. Carr is a 2009 Watervliet High School graduate who now lives and works in Kalamazoo.

Carr was at a party Saturday night with some his old high school friends. A fight broke out at that party early Sunday morning and speculation swirled that Carr had been beaten to death. However, police say their investigation revealed Carr was killed prior to the fight even starting.

WSBT's reporter Denise Bohn sat down with Carr's sisters, who shared fond memories of their brother.

"He was just so outgoing and goofy and he loved to make people laugh," said Britany Carr, Tyler's stepsister.

In fact friends called him Tyler "ha ha" Carr, and because of his wide contagious smile his family called him, "Papa smiley."

Carr is a 2009 graduate of Watervliet High School where he excelled in wrestling and was intent on looking after his younger sister Sara, who was just a year behind him in school.

"I could call him about anything and he had a way, no matter what, to tell me what I needed to hear," says Sara Carr.

Now Sara and Britany want to hear answers to how and why their brother was run over and left to die in a field just feet from where a party was going on.

It's believed Carr may have been hit around midnight, but his body wasn't found until after 9 a.m. Sunday morning by the son of the homeowner and a few party goers that spent the night.

Police have a vehicle they think was involved and have interviewed the driver.

"We need answers to heal and somebody needs to pay the price," pleaded Britany.

Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit says his investigators plan on conducting more interviews and talking with the driver again. Heit did allude to the fact this could be a tragic accident that occurred, and not an intentional hit and run. Police are not sure if Carr, the victim, was bent over or was lying down in the field when he was run over. Heit stressed there is NO evidence to show he had any involvement in the fight that took place, despite comments to the contrary on Facebook and Twitter. Investigators are also waiting for toxicology results done on Carr.

Once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the prosecutor's office to review and to decide if any charges should be filed.

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