Petaluma Man Found Dead Sunday Morning Near Waterfront; No Foul Play Indicated

A 63-year-old possibly homeless Petaluma man was found dead this morning at a fishing spot on H and First streets, according to the Petaluma Police Department.

Leonard Neal Smith was discovered at 7:30 a.m. near a park bench at the waterfront by a citizen who had gone to the location to fish, police said.

Police said the location where the body was found is small but landscaped, and frequented by anglers and others who like to sit along the river, and adjacent to the Foundry Wharf business park.

There were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play to Smith’s body; an autopsy is pending to determine cause of death, police said.

Smith’s next of kin have been contacted by the Petaluma Police Department.

Smith had resided in Petaluma in the past, moved to Montana, and returned to Petaluma. He is believed to have been homeless for about the past month, police said.

There were no signs that Smith had been camping where he was found, according to officers.

Anyone with information concerning Smith’s death is asked to contact the Petaluma Police Department’s Investigations Unit at 707-778-4415.

This is the second death this weekend on outdoor property in Petaluma: Previous story: Petaluma Man Dies From Apparent Suicide At Steamer Landing.