Hemet man, 34, ID’d after body found in bushes
UPDATED: Thursday, May 30, 4 p.m.
See Original Story below.
HEMET — Officials have identified a man whose body was found yesterday morning in a row of bushes next to a sidewalk adjacent Eaton Ave., between Sanderson Ave. and Kirby St.
Although officials are still investigating the cause of the man’s death, Hemet PD yesterday said no foul play was suspected and that his passing was possibly caused by a drug overdose. Officials did not specify what led them to suspect a drug overdose.
Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials today identified Scott Whitney, 34, of Hemet, as the victim whose body was found. A coroner’s release indicated Whitney was pronounced deceased when officials arrived at the scene, at 8:21 a.m.
No further details have been released and Hemet PD’s investigation is ongoing.
Original Story: Hemet PD investigating after body found in bushes
HEMET — Authorities in Hemet are conducting a death investigation after a man’s lifeless body was discovered in a row of bushes adjacent a sidewalk alongside Eaton Ave., between Sanderson Ave. and Kirby St., this morning, Wednesday, May 29. According to officials, the victim may have died of a drug overdose.
This morning’s discovery comes on the heels of another body found in the Hemet area ten days ago, after a man’s body was found inside a car parked behind a Valle Vista shopping center, May 19. Sheriff’s officials are still investigating that person’s death.
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Hemet Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the area about 8:20 a.m., after a concerned citizen spotted the man’s body in the bushes and called 911, Hemet Police Lt. Nate Miller later reported.
When officers and paramedics arrived, they found a male deceased at the scene. The victim, who has not yet been identified, appeared to be in his 30’s according to Miller.
“While the investigation is ongoing at the time of this release, there are no immediate signs of foul play and drug use may have been a factor,” explained Miller. “No further information will be released at this time, pending notification of next of kin.”
Anyone with information about this investigation or who believes they may knows the victim’s identity is encouraged to contact Hemet PD at (951) 765-2400. Tipsters can also reach Hemet PD using the department’s new smartphone app, which is available for free via the Apple Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android users.
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.
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Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.
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Too sad
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