By Spencer Hunt and Debra Jasper
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Carl Binion's brother, Keith, died in his apartment during a heat wave. (Photo by Michael E. Keating)

Keith Allen Binion died alone in his sweltering Niles apartment on a 90-degree August day.

His family says Trumbull County had contracted with a private agency to provide five hours of care each day to Mr. Binion. They question why he died around midnight on Aug. 2, 2001, but wasn't found until 4:40 the next afternoon.

His sister-in-law, Patricia Binion, says Mr. Binion had remained in the hot apartment for so long that a closed casket was required for his funeral.

"They should have turned on the air," she says. "It would have only cost an extra $20 a month."

There were no signs of foul play or a drug overdose, although Mr. Binion's apartment floor was littered with beer cans. The Trumbull County coroner's final report speculates that Mr. Binion, 41, suffered a fatal seizure or died from heat exposure.

"Your guess is as good as mine," says Humphrey Germaniuk, forensic pathologist.

Officials with the Trumbull County mental retardation board decline comment. So do officials at Ohio Mentor, the private company that contracted with the county to provide Mr. Binion care.

The state Department of Mental Retardation is now investigating the case. Meanwhile, Carl Binion is haunted by his brother's death. On a cold January day last month, he searched desperately for his brother's unmarked, snow-covered grave.

He and other relatives, who borrowed $4,000 to pay for the funeral, can't afford a tombstone until their tax return comes in.

On the day of the funeral, Carl Binion placed an enlarged picture of his brother on the casket. He tried later to hang the picture on his wall, but had to take it down: "When I look at it, it makes me cry."