Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Incident: Suspicious Death Investigation
Report Number: PPD 22-3580
Occurred Date : August 23, 2022
Occurred Time: 10:52 AM
Locations 200 Block of Windsor Drive Petaluma, CA 94952

Incident Summary
This morning at 10:52 AM, Petaluma Police Department Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Windsor Drive to check the welfare on a resident who lived in the home but had not been seen for several weeks. It was reported, approximately 20-30 packages were stacked on the porch, and no one would answer the door when attempts were made by neighbors. Upon arrival, officers also made numerous attempts to contact the resident which were unsuccessful. Given their observations coupled with the information obtained by the reporting party, officers were concerned for the welfare of the resident and made the decision to make entry into the home. When officers entered the home, they located a deceased female inside the living room area of the home and a second adult female in a bedroom who claimed to be the decedent’s daughter.

Given the condition of the decedent being located in the advanced stages of decomposition, it appeared she had been deceased for over a year. The adult female contacted inside the residence cooperated with officers and confirmed the victim had died of natural causes in April of 2021. Based on her condition, the adult female who had been contacted inside the residence, was transported to an area hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.

Due to the unknown circumstances surrounding this death, the Petaluma Police Department Investigations Team and members of the Crime Scene Investigations Team responded to the residence and initiated an unattended death investigation. A search warrant was obtained, and a thorough processing of the scene was completed. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Coroner's Office took custody of the decedent for identification and further investigation. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time. Due to the interior conditions of the home being uninhabitable, a City of Petaluma Code Enforcement Officer responded to the scene and issued a red tagged on the home.

Currently, there are no outstanding suspects or safety concerns in the neighborhood. If anyone has further information relevant to this investigation, please contact Petaluma Police Department Detective Daniel Boyd at [email protected] or by phone at 707-778-4334.

Media inquiries may be directed to Lieutenant Jeremy Walsh at [email protected] or by phone at 707-776-3743.