No foul play suspected in Keokuk death

KEOKUK - An investigation into the death of a Keokuk man this summer has resulted in several misdemeanor charges, but no foul play is suspected at this point.
Keokuk Police Chief Zeth Baum released information on the investigation Monday.
On August 24, 2024, at approximately 3:30 am, Keokuk Police Officers were dispatched to the intersection of 8th and Concert streets for a report of a male lying on the ground with injuries.
Three officers arrived at that location at 3:32 am and immediately secured the scene. They observed a male subject, identified as Scott Clifford Finch, 42 of Keokuk, unconscious and breathing, in the roadway with injuries.
The Lee County Ambulance Service arrived on the scene at 3:33 am and began life-saving measures. Finch would be transported from the scene to a medical facility via ambulance at approximately 3:58 am. Finch succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the medical facility.
Officers contacted the Criminal Investigations Division of our department and requested detectives respond to the scene. An agent from the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation was also requested to assist with this investigation.
The area was canvassed for potential witnesses and evidence. Interviews were conducted, photographs were taken, video surveillance from multiple locations was obtained for review, and possible evidence was collected for further processing. There was no evidentiary indication that the injuries to Mr. Finch were caused by a vehicle.
Video surveillance in the 600 block of Main Street shows Mr. Finch walking westbound with an unsteady gait, staggering multiple times. This is at approximately 2:58 am. At approximately 3:06 am, Mr. Finch is captured on surveillance walking north in the 10 block of 9th Street, again exhibiting an unsteady gait. Mr. Finch is alone on these surveillance videos and does not appear to have injuries.
During this investigation, detectives became aware of a short video of Mr. Finch, which had been posted to social media. This video showed Mr. Finch with injuries on his face, falling down headfirst into the concrete multiple times. On 8/25/24, the individual that posted the video came to the police department on their own and voluntarily provided an interview after learning of Mr. Finch’s death. Another party that was with him while they encountered Mr. Finch accompanied this individual to the police department. Each individual provided separate accounts of the interaction, which were consistent and indicated that no physical assault took place between them and Mr. Finch. The subject that posted the video stated that he did so in poor judgment. The individual also admitted to picking Mr. Finch’s wallet up off the ground and taking a sum of money out of it.
These accounts were corroborated by two independent witnesses that detectives located and interviewed. These witnesses were driving by the area at the time and observed the interaction. The accounts were also partially corroborated by surveillance video that was obtained from the area.
Officers became aware of a social gathering taking place in the 800 block of Concert Street during the timeframe of this event. Detectives sought out the homeowner, as well as individuals that attended the gathering. Over 15 individuals were identified as witnesses or potential witnesses throughout this investigation. All parties were cooperative and provided formal or informal statements in regard to the event. No information was received consistent to individuals hearing or seeing an assault take place. There were no significant inconsistencies discovered within the information received. Some of the potential witnesses had no relevant information regarding the event.
An autopsy was completed by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner. The report states that it is possible Mr. Finch received his injuries from multiple falls, which would be consistent with eyewitness accounts of the event. The autopsy report does not rule out the possibility of other causes for the injuries. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma in the setting of intoxication with other significant contributory health factors. The manner of death is undetermined.
As a result of this investigation, two individuals have been charged with crimes. On 1/2/2025, Jace Andrew Wade, 23 of Keokuk, was charged with Theft 5th Degree, a simple misdemeanor, and Failure to Assist-Resulting in Death, an aggravated misdemeanor. Michael Tobias Cagle Jr, 24 of Keokuk, was charged with Failure to Assist-Resulting in Death, an aggravated misdemeanor.
The Keokuk Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Finch for their loss.
The LeeComm Dispatch Center, Keokuk Fire Department, Lee County Ambulance Service, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety provided valuable assistance during this event.