Carbon Monoxide poisoning suspected after pair found dead in Hemet motel
HEMET — Authorities are investigating the deaths of two people, whose lifeless bodies were found inside a Hemet motel room Friday afternoon, Nov. 29. Officials investigating the deaths say carbon monoxide build up within the room was the suspected cause of the pair’s deaths and that the couple may have tampered with the motel room’s heater prior to their passing.
Carbon monoxide or “CO” is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces, according to CDC officials. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it and breathing too much CO can lead to symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
Often described as “flu-like” symptoms, breathing in too much CO can cause you to lose consciousness and can lead to death.
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City of Hemet Police and Fire Departments, along with AMR and other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the Coach Light Motel on the 1600 block of W Florida Ave. shortly after 1 p.m., Hemet Police Lt. Nate Miller reported after the tragic discovery.
The 911 caller, an employee at the motel, reported finding two unresponsive people inside one of the rooms, according to Miller.
When officials arrived at the scene and entered the motel room they quickly confirmed finding a man and woman deceased inside the room.
Officials suspect carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of two people’s deaths at Hemet’s Coach Light Motel Friday. Mrio Sevilla/Hemet News photo
“Emergency responders found very high levels of carbon monoxide inside the room,” Miller explained; saying officials found the room’s heater was still running “and may have been tampered with by the occupants” prior to their deaths.
Officials began evacuating surrounding rooms within the motel and with help from Southern California Gas, the room and its heater were rendered safe, according to Miller.
Although the investigation into the cause of the couple’s death is ongoing, Miller said no foul play is suspected in the pair’s passing.
“While tragic, the deaths do not appear to be criminal in nature at this time,” Miller explained.
The victims’ names have not being released, pending further investigation and notification of their family’s.
No one else was injured in this incident.
As their investigation was getting underway, Miller used the opportunity to remind citizens that whether they’re at home, or on the road somewhere, “leave furnace work to professionals.”
“If staying in a hotel or motel, leave the room immediately if there is something wrong with heating equipment and contact the front desk or 911,” Miller explained; saying, “Do not ever attempt to fix or manipulate these items
yourself.”
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.
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Mario Sevilla/Hemet News photos
Mario Sevilla/Hemet News video
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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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 16 grandchildren.
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