FARRELL, Pa. - A former Poland Seminary High School football standout was found dead at his mother's home early Thursday morning.
A spokesman for the Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Department said that 19-year-old Darius Patton was found dead after officers were called to the apartment about 7:15 a.m. He was declared dead at the scene by an assistant Mercer County corner.
The spokesman would not say how Patton died but Tribune Chronicle news partner Channel 33 News said he was found in the back yard of the home and that sources told them he was despondent over a recent break up.
The spokesman said police are awaiting word from the coroner before they proceed on how they will investigate.
Patton is the son for former Youngstown State football star Shawn Patton. He was a two-time All-Ohio Division III selection at Poland. As a senior, Patton caught 49 passes for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He signed a scholarship with the University of Pittsburgh and fainted during a practice with the Panthers in August of 2011. He was not on their roster this year.
His father, Shawn Patton, is scheduled to be sentenced in U.S. Northern District Court in November for his role in a drug case.
