Developments in the death investigation in Newport Township

NEWPORT TWP. – The Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police in Wilkes-Barre are expected to release information later today regarding the investigation into the April death of Mark J. Harrison.

Harrison, 36, was found dead at his Newport Township residence on Central Street on April 14.

Luzerne County Coroner Jill Matthews said this morning that Harrison’s cause and manner of death are “pending the completion of the investigation.”

A search warrant sealed on April 23 was resealed on June 20 at the request of prosecutors.

After Harrison was found dead, law enforcement sources said in April that they believed he died of a drug overdose “under suspicious circumstances.”

Sources said independently that a woman, possibly two women, were in Harrison’s apartment before his death. When Harrison became unconscious and eventually died, firearms and other items were stolen from Harrison’s apartment, sources said independently in April.

The investigation, sources noted at the time, concerned whether the woman or women were advertising themselves as prostitutes on social media sites and expanding this to other areas.

Check back to timesleader.com when more information becomes available.