An autopsy performed by Warren County Coroner Russell Uptegrove shows Judge James Heath took his own life.
Heath was found dead in the master bedroom of his Maineville home on May 24, 17 hours after he was arrested for drunk driving for the second time.
Uptegrove say toxicology test results determined Judge Heath had high levels of prescription drugs and alcohol in his system.
The prescription drugs, which were hydrocodone and citalopram, were prescribed to Heath.
Uptegrove says the levels were too high for Heath's death to be accidental. Plus, he says Heath left several notes that indicate he intended to commit suicide.
The trooper who arrested Heath on May 24 says the judge made a comment that he [the judge] would be dead by morning.
Heath was later released to his wife.
During the first arrest in October, Heath begged the trooper to let him go. He ended up pleading to a lesser charge of reckless operation.
Friends and family say on top of the embarrassment from the arrest, Heath was suffering from stomach cancer, and was separated from his wife.
Friends say Heath was a well-liked father of three, who was active in the community.
