Russ Flanagan, who covered courts and police for five years for The Express-Times, was found dead early this morning in his Whitehall Township apartment.

Co-workers had become concerned when Flanagan, 33, didn't report to work Tuesday, the first day of a murder trial in Northampton County Court. When he couldn't be reached all day, an editor went to Flanagan's apartment, where authorities forced open the door. A Lehigh County deputy coroner pronounced Flanagan dead at 2 a.m. today.

There were no signs of foul play or injuries, and no evidence of drug or alcohol abuse, said Coroner Scott Grim. An autopsy this afternoon failed to pinpoint a cause and manner of death. Those rulings are pending toxicology and microscopic tests that usually take 10 to 12 weeks, Grim said.

"There's nothing evident to determine an exact cause here," Grim said. "Nothing was visible that we could see from the autopsy."

Many community members today expressed their condolences and relived memories of Flanagan's outgoing personality and professionalism.

Flanagan wrote hundreds of stories during his Express-Times career, and he was one of the authors of the "Law and Order" blog on LehighValleyLive.com. Here's how he was described in the "about the author" section:

"Prior to that Russ worked for The New Jersey Herald in Newton, Sussex County, where he covered politics and county government. A native of Rockaway Township in Morris County, N.J., Russ studied journalism just outside New York City at William Paterson University, where alumni include former 'Beverly Hills 90210' star Ian Ziering and Joseph D. Pistone, the FBI agent who infiltrated the New York mob under the alias 'Donnie Brasco.'

"In his spare time, Russ enjoys writing, photography, film, cooking and exploring the Lehigh Valley's nightlife. Some of his favorite movies include 'Star Wars,' 'Fight Club,' 'Casablanca,' 'The Warriors,' 'The Godfather,' and just about anything from the Coen Brothers and Wes Anderson."

"Flanagan's the right guy for the assignment," Deegan wrote. "He's a devout Giants fan who grew up in Rockaway, N.J.

"He'll be watching Sunday's game in his Osi Umenyiora jersey."

Express-Times editor Joseph P. Owens said the news came as a shock to Flanagan's friends and colleagues at the newspaper, who will remember him for his reliability, versatility and personality.

"He was the kind of guy -- rock-solid reliable -- that if he was working a shift, you knew anything that came along would be handled," Owens said. "He was a veteran newsman who understood how to get the job done."

Owens said Flanagan consistently rose to the challenge of the demanding cops and court beat, which requires accuracy, compassion and sharp eyes and ears.

"He could do it all," Owens said. "Everybody liked Russ. He was a good guy to be around."

Many of his colleagues were with him at a Saturday night housewarming party. An avid sports fan, Flanagan planned to watch the Super Bowl with his family the next day.

"He was going home to share that experience with his family," Owens said. "I didn't get to talk to him after the game, but I'm sure he was thrilled the Giants won."

Norman Dean Home for Services Inc. in Denville, N.J., is handling services, which are pending.