Evans v. National Life & Accident Insurance

As do many states, Ohio has recognized the legal presumption that in the absence of sufficient substantial evidence to the contrary, a person is presumed not to have taken his own life. This rule was set forth in Shepherd v. Midland Mut. Life Ins. Co. (1949), 152 Ohio St. 6, at 15 [39 O.O. 352]:

“* * * [W]here it is shown that death resulted from bodily injury caused by violent and external means without a showing as to how the injury was in fact sustained, there is a presumption that death did not result from suicide, self-infliction of injury, criminal assault of another, or voluntary…