Petaluma Records 20th Transient Death Since 2010

The death of a Petaluma man Sunday was the 20th death of a transient person in Petaluma since January 2010, a police sergeant said today.

The cause of death of 63-year-old Leonard Smith, whose body was found at a popular fishing spot along the Petaluma River, is pending an autopsy this week, but nothing indicates a violent death, Sgt. Ed Crosby said.

[Previous: Petaluma Man Found Dead Sunday Morning Near Waterfront; No Foul Play Indicated.]

“There are various causes of (transient) death and the bodies were found at various locations in the city,” Crosby said.

Of the 19 homeless deaths before Sunday, seven were from natural causes, four were suicides, two were accidental overdoses on alcohol or drugs, three were of undetermined cause and one was from drowning.

The cause of two homeless persons’ deaths are still pending. The average age of a deceased homeless person was 49.4 years, Crosby said.

“We ‘never say never’ when it comes to homicide, we always keep an open mind regarding information that comes our way, but thus far there is no consistent pattern to suggest a serial killer is afoot or that transients are dying in unusual ways or numbers,” Crosby said.

Alcohol and drug abuse have played a part in many of the transient deaths and in some cases outright caused the deaths, Crosby said.

“It’s also worthy to note that even among those with homes, I found many decedents had chronic health problems brought on or exacerbated by substance and alcohol abuse,” Crosby said.

“Living or being outdoors for extended periods of time coupled with substance/alcohol abuse can become a life-threatening combination,” Crosby said.

There have been 238 death investigations in Petaluma between January 2010 and October this year. Homeless people were involved in 8 percent of the death investigations.

The percentage of homeless deaths ranged between 7.1 percent in January 2010 and 13.6 percent this year so far, according to figures supplied by Crosby.

Homeless people were nearly three times as likely to die by suicide, and the homeless accounted for four of the 21 suicides, all by hanging, since January 2010, Crosby said.

Petaluma had three firearm-related homicides and two vehicular manslaughters since January 2010.

Related Patch coverage:

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

Male Transient Found Dead Tuesday Night in Petaluma.

Was Anyone Acquainted With Michael Todd Coleman of Petaluma?

Body Found In Petaluma River ID’d As Local Homeless Man.

Body Found In Petaluma River Saturday Night.

Man Found Dead In Petaluma Park ID’d.

Dead Body Found At Petaluma Park.

--Bay City News

--Image via Shutterstock