On July 3^rd, 2025, the Clermont County Grand Jury indicted Evan Key, age 39, in connection with the overdose death of Travis Hays, on the following charges:

• (1) count of Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony of the 1^st degree
• (1) count of Corrupting Another with Drugs, a felony of the 2^nd degree
• (2) counts of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, both felonies of the 4^th degree
• (1) count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a felony of the 5^th degree

On March 27^th, 2025, at 12:56 p.m., Clermont County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of Myrtle Avenue in Tate Township, where they located a 23-year-old male victim, later identified as Travis Hays of Union Township, unresponsive. Bethel Tate Fire & EMS arrived on scene at 12:59 p.m. and immediately began life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, Mr. Hays was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit and the Clermont County Coroner’s Office were notified and responded to begin an investigation. Detectives secured the victim’s cellphone along with other pertinent evidence. Upon reviewing cellphone messages, Evan Key was identified as a person of interest due to his communication with the victim.

Later that afternoon, at approximately 4:32 p.m., Sheriff’s Office Detectives responded to the 2800 block of South Bantam Road in Tate Township for a follow-up with Key. After attempts to contact occupants at the residence were unsuccessful, detectives drafted and executed a search warrant. During the search, detectives located Evan Key, as well as narcotics, cellphones, and other evidence related to the investigation.

Key was transported to the Sheriff’s Office, where he was interviewed by detectives. During the interview, he admitted to providing narcotics to the victim. He was subsequently transported to the Clermont County Jail on unrelated outstanding warrants.

A subsequent toxicology report from the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause of death as “acute methadone intoxication.”

Evan Key was taken into custody today without incident by Clermont County Deputies and is currently being held without bond at the Clermont County Jail. He is scheduled to appear before a Clermont County Common Pleas Judge, Kevin Miles for his arraignment on July 7^th, 2025, at 8:30 am. on the charges outlined above.

Any additional inquiries regarding this indictment or the pending charges should be directed to the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office at (513) 732-7313.

Evan Daniel Key, age 39