By Bill Vidonic

Published: Saturday, January 12, 2013, 12:26 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, January 12, 2013

A Butler County auto body shop owner died inside his business from a single gunshot of the chest, and state police were searching for suspects, authorities said on Saturday.

The Butler County Coroner's Office ruled the death of Robert C. Gaurrich, 45, a homicide.

Gaurrich died inside Bob's Truck and Auto Repair, along Evans City Road in Forward, Trooper Dan Kesten said.

“He was wonderful,” said Jessica Hoover, Gaurrich's girlfriend of two years. “He took the shirt off his back for anyone. He'd do anything for you.”

Hoover became worried when he did not return to the couple's Forward home on Friday night, Kesten said, and asked a friend to check on him. The friend found Gaurrich dead about 11:20 p.m. Friday, Kesten said, and called state police.

It was not clear how long Gaurrich had been dead in the shop before his body was found, Kesten said.

State police remained at the auto body shop for more than 14 hours, searching for evidence and to determine whether anything was stolen.

It did not appear that anyone had forced their way into the business, Kesten said. Police were trying to determine a motive and identify any suspects on Saturday afternoon.

Kesten added that he was not aware of previous problems at the shop.

Family members declined to comment on Saturday.

Bill Vidonic is a staff writerfor Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-380-5621or bvidonic@tribweb.com.

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