Colon man arraigned on murder charge

A 19-year-old Colon man was arraigned Friday on a charge of open murder in the death of 55-year-old Todd Schwartz, also of Colon.

Ethan Dingman is being held without bond.

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough said Dingman made a call to 911 shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday to alert authorities to the situation.

Schwartz’s body was found in a garage behind the home at 224 S. Blackstone Ave.

An autopsy was performed Friday to determine the cause of death.

McDonough said authorities believe the death was caused by blunt-force trauma to the head. No murder weapon has been found, he said.

Public defender Dave Marvin will represent Dingman. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Dec. 3 and a preliminary hearing Dec. 10.