Autopsy in Homicide Case Inconclusive
An autopsy Thursday failed to determine the cause of death of a 41-year-old Ventura man who was found this week beneath a freeway overpass at Garden and Olive streets, authorities said.
An unidentified passerby found the body of Timothy John Atherholt under a piece of plywood shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday, Ventura Police Sgt. Bob Anderson said. Atherholt was found wrapped in a blanket, police said.
Investigator Mitch Breese of the Ventura County medical examiner’s office said coroner officials are waiting for results of toxicology tests to determine the cause of death. There were no visible signs of trauma and the autopsy was inconclusive, coroner’s officials said.
Anderson said that Atherholt died elsewhere and was dumped under the overpass within 24 hours of his body’s discovery. The death is being investigated as a homicide, police said.
Atherholt’s mother lives in Ojai and was contacted by authorities Wednesday afternoon. Funeral arrangements were pending.
“He had recently gotten out of jail,” said James Baroni, a deputy coroner. Atherholt had a history of drug use, he added.
Anyone with information should call Anderson at 339-4482 or Det. Ralph Martinez at 339-4472.
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