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WILKES-BARRE — The Luzerne County Coroner’s Office has ruled the death of Jeremy Soto, who died days after being struck in the head earlier this year, as a homicide.

Soto, 25, died June 4 at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital where he was being treated for a serious head injury when he was struck by a 19-year-old man in the 500 block of North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, on May 31.

No charges have been filed.

District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said Thursday the investigation remains under review.

Police have not released the name of the man who allegedly struck Soto, despite describing him as a suspect in a news release issued June 6.

A search warrant police obtained June 7 for Soto’s medical records says a physical altercation occurred at 584 N. Main St. involving two people. Soto was struck and knocked unconscious as a result of an altercation and was transported to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital where he died at 6:01 p.m. on June 4.

Police obtained the search warrant for the purpose of furthering the investigation to determine if Soto’s medical records will aid in determining possible factors contributing to his death.

An inventory receipt says police obtained Soto’s evaluation, medical tests, treatments and past medical history from the hospital.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Gary Ross conducted an autopsy June 6. At the time, Coroner Daniel Hughes withheld the cause and manner of death pending the investigation.

The coroner’s office on Thursday released the results indicating the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death a homicide.

Police in the June 6 news release stated they responded to a report of a man who became unconscious after being struck in the face. The suspect remained on scene and was later questioned.

Police said the suspect told them he was followed and attacked by the victim while walking into his residence. He advised that the victim swung at him, causing him to punch the victim in the face rendering him unconscious, the news release says.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the city police Detective Division at 570-208-4224.

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By Ed Lewis

elewis@www.timesleader.com

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Wilkes-Barre man’s death ruled homicide