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On the morning of Tuesday, April 29, Ritter was taken by private vehicle to Harbor Beach Community Hospital after a relative found him very ill at his residence. Ritter was later transferred to Saginaw Covenant Hospital, where he died Wednesday evening.

Detectives learned Friday that suspicious activity had taken place at Ritter's residence that may have contributed to his death. The detectives received permission from the landowner, a relative of Ritter's, to search the premises and found chemicals and materials that were consistent with a clandestine meth lab.

A search warrant was obtained from Huron County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gaertner to seize any suspected evidence.

Detectives also contacted the Michigan State Police Methamphetamine Response Team for assistance. They determined the site was a hazardous material site and not a meth lab. The Response Team found evidence that led them to believe Ritter "was attempting to extract metals from electronic components with chemical mixtures and created a very hazardous condition."

They later contacted the Region 3 Response Team Network based out of Bay City, who has expertise in handling hazardous materials. The team was scheduled to arrive Friday evening and determine the severity of the haz-mat site.

An autopsy was performed on Ritter to determine the cause of death, but results were unavailable as of press time.

Huron County Emergency Services Director Burt Eichler coordinated clean up efforts and was assisted on the scene by the Harbor Beach Fire Department and the Harbor Beach Police Department.