In Shaker Heights, Ohio, a quiet Wednesday evening turned tragic when 34-year-old contractor Andrew Strand was found dead inside a trash compactor behind the CVS store where he was working, police confirmed. What began as a simple check-in with a loved one became a nightmare for his family and the community.
Strand, who lived in Brunswick, hadn’t checked in with his wife, and by late Wednesday night she was worried. Around 10 p.m., she called police after tracking his cellphone to the CVS on Chagrin Boulevard, where he was performing contract work that day.
Shaker Heights officers arrived and began searching the property. It wasn’t long before they found Strand’s body inside a trash compactor at the rear of the building. Authorities have not released details about how he ended up inside the machine, and the investigation is active.
Police say the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting tests to determine Strand’s cause and manner of death. That process can take time, especially in unusual cases like this one, as officials try to piece together what happened and whether anyone was at fault.
Shaker Heights Police Commander John Cole spoke for the department and passed along sympathy to Strand’s loved ones, calling the situation heartbreaking and urging patience as investigators work.
CVS released a brief statement saying the company is fully cooperating with police. The national pharmacy chain did not comment on the specifics of the tragedy, but assured the public they are assisting in the inquiry as it unfolds.
Friends, neighbors and coworkers described Strand as a dedicated worker who was doing an ordinary job that night. This sudden tragedy has left many in the local community searching for answers and mourning a life lost too soon. Police have asked anyone with information to come forward as they continue their work.
