Homeless man dies at Columbus hospital after being assaulted, Muscogee coroner says

An investigation is underway after a man died Saturday from an assault in Columbus, according to authorities.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said Topher Maguire, 53, had wounds all over his body. He died at a local hospital at 6:59 p.m. Saturday.

The most significant wound Maguire suffered was a gash on the crown of his head, according to Bryan. Maguire had been sleeping on a bench in a backyard in the 1100 Curtis Street, Bryan said.

A post on the Columbus Police Department’s X page says the Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. No other information was released Monday.

CPD said the manner of death hadn’t been determined yet.

“The Columbus Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is investigating a death that occurred on Curtis Street on Saturday, March 29, 2025,” police said. “The victim’s body will undergo an autopsy to determine the manner of death. The investigation is ongoing, and additional details will be provided pending the autopsy results.”

This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 12:26 PM.