NEWS RELEASE
KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
CORONER SECTION
This news release is prepared under the direction of the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator for the convenience of news reporters. Facts concerning news events of major importance, which occur after the preparation of this release, will be made available to reporters at their request as soon as it is possible to do so.
DATE: 05/29/2017
TIME: 10:48
DECEDENT’S NAME: Shane Joseph Ornelas
CASE #: C01127-17
CITY OF RESIDENCE: Buena Park, CA
AGE: 44
TYPE OF CASE: Death Investigation
DATE OF INCIDENT: 05/27/2017
TIME OF INCIDENT: 12:35
LOCATION: Kern River, near Camp Owens, Tulare County
DATE OF DEATH: 05/27/2017
TIME OF DEATH: Pronounced at 14:50
PLACE OF DEATH: Kern Valley Health Care District
INVESTIGATING AGENCY: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office
DETAILS: The decedent was rafting in the Kern River in Tulare County when he fell out of the raft into the river. He was removed from the water back into the raft and became unresponsive. He was transported to shore and then taken by ambulance to Kern Valley Health Care District where he was later pronounced deceased. After a postmortem examination the cause of death is hypertrophic heart disease and the manner of death is accident.
COMMENTS: Next of kin was notified
DONNY YOUNGBLOOD, Sheriff-Coroner
CONTACT INFORMATION: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office
PHONE: 559-636-4625
