Executive Summary
- Christopher Stafford, 51, died on Feb. 13 from injuries sustained on Jan. 13.
- Police originally found Stafford unresponsive with upper body trauma during a burglary call.
- The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled the death a homicide.
- Detectives are seeking public tips regarding the incident on Kelmore Road.
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — Baltimore County Police have launched a homicide investigation into the death of a 51-year-old man, following a determination by the medical examiner that injuries sustained during a January incident were fatal.
According to official police reports, officers from the Dundalk Precinct responded to a residence in the 2000 block of Kelmore Road on January 13 at approximately 2:35 p.m. regarding a reported burglary. Upon arrival, law enforcement personnel discovered the victim, identified as Christopher Stafford, unresponsive and suffering from trauma to the upper body.
Stafford was transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Authorities confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries one month later, being pronounced dead on February 13.
Following an autopsy, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the manner of death as homicide. Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Department’s Homicide Unit have assumed control of the investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Homicide Unit at 410-887-4636 or submit tips anonymously via Metro Crime Stoppers.
Investigative Outlook
The reclassification of this case to a homicide significantly alters the procedural approach for investigators. With a month-long gap between the initial assault and the victim’s death, forensic evidence collection and witness interviews from the initial burglary report on January 13 will be critical in establishing a timeline and identifying suspects. Law enforcement’s focus will likely center on connecting the reported burglary to the specific nature of the trauma inflicted on the victim.
It is important to note that while this investigation is ongoing, any individuals who may be charged in connection with this case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
