Police officials in Ione are assuring residents that two separate but coincidental events were not linked as the cause of a citizen’s death. On August 9, the Ione Police Department and medical personnel responded to a local residence on South Church Street to investigate a reported man down in the back yard area. The adult male was determined to be deceased. The Amador County Sheriff and Coroner Martin Ryan was called to the scene and assumed the investigation. No suspicious circumstances or foul play were discovered at the scene. Within the same week’s time, the Sheriff received confirmation from two “unrelated, reliable sources” that a mountain lion has in fact been seen in the vicinity of Howard Park and the 300 block of South Church Street. To date, the mountain lion has not presented aggressive behavior or threatened the safety of any human being. “Despite the numerous rumors circulating, there is no evidence that a mountain lion, or cougar, had anything to do with the male’s death or that a lion tampered with the body whatsoever,” said Police Chief Michael Johnson. However, citizens should exercise caution and familiarize themselves with precautions relating to possible contacts with dangerous wildlife, he said. Johnson is currently working with the local Fish and Game authorities to coordinate efforts to deal with the wild cat accordingly. According to Undersheriff James Wegner, the male’s cause of death was attributed to acute coronary-artery thrombosis.
Thursday, 21 August 2008 03:26
Mountain Lion Sightings Unrelated To Man's Death
Police officials in Ione are assuring residents that two separate but coincidental events were not linked as the cause of a citizen’s death. On August 9, the Ione Police Department and medical personnel responded to a local residence on South Church Street to investigate a reported man down in the back yard area. The adult male was determined to be deceased. The Amador County Sheriff and Coroner Martin Ryan was called to the scene and assumed the investigation. No suspicious circumstances or foul play were discovered at the scene. Within the same week’s time, the Sheriff received confirmation from two “unrelated, reliable sources” that a mountain lion has in fact been seen in the vicinity of Howard Park and the 300 block of South Church Street. To date, the mountain lion has not presented aggressive behavior or threatened the safety of any human being. “Despite the numerous rumors circulating, there is no evidence that a mountain lion, or cougar, had anything to do with the male’s death or that a lion tampered with the body whatsoever,” said Police Chief Michael Johnson. However, citizens should exercise caution and familiarize themselves with precautions relating to possible contacts with dangerous wildlife, he said. Johnson is currently working with the local Fish and Game authorities to coordinate efforts to deal with the wild cat accordingly. According to Undersheriff James Wegner, the male’s cause of death was attributed to acute coronary-artery thrombosis.
