2022 suspicious death of Johnstown boy upgraded to homicide

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- State Police have upgraded a death investigation of seven-year-old Hunter Degroat on Thursday after an autopsy report deemed his death a homicide. The boy's death certificate said his death was caused by blunt force trauma to his head.

Troopers responded to an unresponsive boy at a home in Johnstown on August 9, 2022, around 3:23 p.m. First responders tried all life-saving measures, but Degroat was pronounced dead after being brought to Nathan Littauer Hospital.

The death certificate listed skull fracture, subdural hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral cortical contusions, and cerebral edema from blunt force trauma as his cause of death. Anyone with information regarding the case should contact New York State Police by calling 518-457-6811 or emailing a tip to Crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.