BAZETTA — A continued open investigation in the shooting death of 53-year-old Michael Nigrin has motivated his family over the last two years to search for answers.

In November 2022, Nigrin was found shot to death in the backyard of his 2900 block of North Park Avenue home in Bazetta. Police Chief Chris Herlinger, in February 2023, said police would continue to follow up on any leads to come, however, family members of the victim are seeking justice, as no leads have led them to clarity in the case.

Nigrin’s ex-wife, Heather Nigrin, explained Thursday that she’s found many “closed doors” while attempting to work with law enforcement to gather information.

Detective Patrick Swiger of the Bazetta Township Police Department addressed the investigation Thursday as well.

“Right now, we’re just waiting on any further tips that might come in,” Swiger said.

“That’s why we, as well as the family, have reached out to the community asking for assistance.”

The Tribune Chronicle reported that Nigrin’s death was ruled a homicide on Feb. 23, 2023.

KNOWING MIKE

Nigrin grew up in Champion, and moved to Bazetta later, Heather said. “We have two children together, and we’re obviously divorced, but Mike overall was a good guy,” she added.

“He’d be that kind of guy who would be there to help people who needed things, whether he knew how, or not.”

Before he was killed, Nigrin moved to the North Park Avenue home to get away from a previous neighbor, who has since passed, Heather explained. “But this is where he dies,” she said.

Nigrin’s 21-year-old daughter Madison said he was “always willing to lend a hand whenever necessary.”

Madison said her father liked working on cars and spent a lot of time out in the garage working on various projects. And he was a very active member at his church.

As for issues with the Nigrin’s previous neighbor, Madison said, “It was not something that I ever suspected was tied into this case or the ruling.”

While grieving, Madison said she is moving in a positive direction while accepting that her father’s death is something that no one can change. “There’s good days and bad days, but I’m kind of just taking it and focusing on what we need to do to get where we want to be with the case.”

About her brother Michael, 17, Madison said, “I think it’s been hard for him, but I also think that he has become more accepting of the situation and he’s trying to continue processing it while living his own life and fulfilling what he needs to do.”

Madison is a graduate student in criminal justice at Youngstown State University, while Michael attends Lakeview High School.

WHO AND WHY

When talking about the case progress, Heather said, “We’ve never gotten anywhere with this case.

A lot of that was left up to his kids to take care of. So, as far as information, we only know what has been in the various news articles and updates on TV. The police have nothing, like zero.”

Heather said every once in a while, a tip is mentioned, but they usually lead to “nothing.”

Ultimately, Heather said, she is relying on media and social media to keep the information streaming, and make others in the community aware of the investigation.

Unsolved homicides are not automatically listed on the Ohio Attorney General’s website, and Heather was not aware at first, but she said she met someone in a similar situation and made the call to have it posted.

Heather further added, “I’ve talked to the Trumbull County Sheriff’s office, other detectives, the prosecutor, and crime stoppers, but we kind of went back and forth between departments. And basically nothing ever came of it.”

“I’ve even talked to a private investigator, but that never went anywhere. She was interested, but again, I haven’t heard from her.”

From Madison’s perspective, “Moving forward, I’m hoping that we can maybe get some larger law enforcement agencies involved to maybe escalate things, and try to get answers,” she said.

“What we know is essentially what the rest of the community knows and there’s things that they probably haven’t shared with us, which I understand because that’s just the way these things go.”

Swiger explained that since the investigation is active, many details are unavailable to the public at the moment. When asked what could be spoken on Swiger, who’s been with Bazetta for 15 years, commented, “Not much of it.”

“Certain details can not be released because if we do get information about possible suspects, we don’t need a lot of those details floating around to where it’s hard to relate them to an actual possible suspect.”

Regarding information that has already been made available through news coverage, Swiger added, “Whatever was on the news, or if the family had shared something, that’s perfectly fine.”

“But as for our end, we’re trying to hold a few of the cards close to the chest, so to speak.”

Initially, the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Trumbull County Coroner’s office assisted with evidence collection.

“But at this time, there’s no other agency. He’s been listed on the Ohio Attorney General’s website as unsolved. And I believe there is a group out of Youngstown that would assist if there’s any information that’s brought in,” Swiger said.

FACEBOOK

Trying to do things like setting up the Justice for Mike Nigrin Facebook page, and even handing out cards to local businesses, the family said, has been a struggle.

“I came up with the card idea because, even myself, people can actually tuck those away, throw them in their car, their purse, or whatever. And my hope is that they’re going to always be constantly reminded,” Heather said.

The page and cards have been shared on the Everything Cortland Facebook page, and the family Heather said the sharing of posts is great.

“But I don’t know what else to do, and I’m hoping that just by continuing to network, and keep it active on our end, I will come across people who have been in the same situation.”

Signs of Nigrin are posted throughout Trumbull County along with business cards with information.

Anyone with additional information or questions regarding this case should submit a tip to the Ohio Attorney General’s office and Bazetta Township Police.