The Region - News from Dec. 16, 1986

Steven Paul Carr, a self-described mercenary who died last weekend from an apparent cocaine overdose, provided federal investigators with significant information about the secret delivery of weapons to Nicaraguan rebels, authorities said. Carr, 27, died in Panorama City after going into convulsions. Authorities, however, said his death will not hamper a federal investigation into gunrunning or congressional inquiries into possible White House involvement in military aid to the Nicaraguan contras. “The fact that he died is not going to stop (the investigations),” Assistant U.S. Atty. Ana Barnett said. Although Carr provided firsthand information about weapons shipments to the contras, “it’s not of such a nature that would make it impossible to go forward,” she said. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office said autopsy results on Carr’s death should be available by Friday.