DYBERRY TOWNSHIP -- The Wayne County coroner said a death investigation that has been going on for months is now a homicide investigation.
The death of Ryan Clemo, 31, of Waymart was ruled a homicide on Tuesday.
While no charges have been filed, the Wayne County coroner said Clemo died from lack of oxygen.
It was back in March that Clemo was brought to the emergency room at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale by ambulance where he died.
Police had initially suspected his death was more than just an accident and launched a death investigation.
According to court papers, Clemo was at his girlfriend's house on Rose Hill Road in Dyberry Township the night before he died. Clemo's girlfriend told police Clemo was there drinking with two friends, Adam Dixon and Jonathan Yacinovich, when Clemo got upset.
Court papers state that Dixon told police he then held Clemo around the neck.
Yacinovich admitted he tied an extension cord around Clemo's legs.
Investigators say Clemo was held down until he turned purple and that's when 911 was called.
Newswatch 16 talked with Clemo's family shortly after his death.
With this latest development they declined to talk on camera, saying they knew about the homicide ruling but that the case is still on-going and they did not want to jeopardize the investigation.