Found Deceased CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #13

[Reasonable & Just]

So, does this mean the death certificate is completed and ready? I think I missed something

I'm not the OP, but responding because I was confused at first, too. I think it's just friendly advice for those who still wonder about what happened that day. JMO.

 

[Gigi3]

I'm not the OP, but responding because I was confused at first, too. I think it's just friendly advice for those who still wonder about what happened that day. JMO.

Oh! Ok, I figured it would be a while longer for the COD since it’s been so long, but I really have no idea how that works from state to state. Thanks for explaining.

 

[Lilibet]

CA - CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #2
The search area was marked with flagging for several square miles.

Thanks for finding that info @PommyMommy.

 

[PaulaDC]

Could she possibly ( her body) have been dropped off after the search ended. Just another thought other than getting lost. moo

 

[HongKongPhooey]

DBM - I think I understand about the Coroner's report advice now

I don't.

Is there any confirmation that cod has been finalised and documented? Or was the OP suggesting we contact the coroner to ask that? Big difference between the two isnt there?

And why are no journos contacting the coroner?

If cod has been established and eliminates a third party, wouldnt this be newsworthy?

It makes me so sad that there isnt more media interest.

JMO

 

[Cherwell]

I think rosesfromangels was simply advising us that in California, death certificates are public records and may be applied for by any member of the public. It was general information and not intended to imply that Barbara's DC is already available.

"Anyone who feels they need to see cause of death on the death certificate can obtain an "informational copy" which costs ~$21 through this link:
Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy
In California it is public record. You can't, however, obtain a certified copy unless you meet certain requirements such as next of kin, attorney, etc."

"You can order death cert. with COD if you like .......
...... The death cert. is the definitive document. In California, it is a public record."

 

[Cherwell]

Could she possibly ( her body) have been dropped off after the search ended. Just another thought other than getting lost. moo

Where are you suggesting her body was in the meantime?

 

[Officer Dibble]

Could she possibly ( her body) have been dropped off after the search ended. Just another thought other than getting lost. moo

Good point.

 

[rosesfromangels]

I don't.

Is there any confirmation that cod has been finalised and documented? Or was the OP suggesting we contact the coroner to ask that? Big difference between the two isnt there?

And why are no journos contacting the coroner?

If cod has been established and eliminates a third party, wouldnt this be newsworthy?

It makes me so sad that there isnt more media interest.

JMO

Thanks Cherwell for clarifying.

The Coroner and family are under no obligation to provide information as long as no foul play is indicated in the examination of the remains.

If you wish to definitively know COD, you can order an “informational” copy of the death certificate, which is a public record in California.

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[LAhiker]

Thanks Cherwell for clarifying.

The Coroner and family are under no obligation to provide information as long as no foul play is indicated in the examination of the remains.

If you wish to definitively know COD, you can order an “informational” copy of the death certificate, which is a public record in California.

Amateur opinion and speculation

I don't know whether a death certificate is issued if the cause of death is still pending. The following link implies it may be, but I'm not sure. In any event, if the cause of death is still pending or is unknown, logically it could not be on the death certificate.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/me/families/theprocess.html

JMO

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I don't know whether a death certificate is issued if the cause of death is still pending. The following link implies it may be, but I'm not sure. In any event, if the cause of death is still pending or is unknown, logically it could not be on a death certificate.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/me/families/theprocess.html

JMO

That's what I was thinking.

And the fact Barbara is deceased is not in question at all, sadly.

 

[darring21]

I don't know whether a death certificate is issued if the cause of death is still pending. The following link implies it may be, but I'm not sure. In any event, if the cause of death is still pending or is unknown, logically it could not be on a death certificate.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/me/families/theprocess.html

JMO

The cause of death was still undetermined as of 12/17. It may now be determined and we would not know because they may not make another press release.

 

[rosesfromangels]

O.K., one more try....seems as if I'm causing some confusion.

-We will not hear anything more about cause of death from the Coroner unless it is determined COD was criminal (Nothing at present suggests that)
-For those who wish to know COD, you can obtain that from the death cert., where in California that is public record. (Links provided in a couple different posts above)
-Is the Death Cert ready for public review/purchase? - I do not know
-Do I believe this is a criminal matter? - No, I do not
-Will those who believe this is a criminal matter be satisfied with the outcome of this case and the COD on the death cert? - Probably not based on recent posts

While this is a terribly sad case, the outcome was predictable based on the harsh environment. If proven wrong I'll gladly eat crow, but I think this was a very tragic misadventure brought on by that scorching heat.

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[al66pine]

O.K., one more try....seems as if I'm causing some confusion. <snip>

@rosesfromangels sbm
Thank you for your clarification.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

The cause of death was still undetermined as of 12/17. It may now be determined and we would not know because they may not make another press release.

If the cod and investigation concludes no foul play, I really hope LE issues a statement so that RT can carry on with the rest of his life without suspicion potentially hanging over him.

I suppose if LE do not confirm, RT could go to press and release a statement although he may of course feel no obligation or need.

If however the cod results in the investigation continuing, I imagine they wont release a statement and the first public knowledge could be an arrest warrant.

I really hope it is confirmed either way. I know we have no right to know, but I'd love to think there's closure for Barbara and her family.

JMO

 

[K9Enzo]

In general, in the court of public opinion, if someone was falsely accused of a crime, are they ever really viewed by the public the same way again? For some, I think they are screwed no matter what, the damage is done.

In this case, I don't think anyone will be harder on RT over BT's death, than RT himself.
They left together to do an activity they both enjoyed, one came home, the other one didn't. If only this would have happened, if I would have did this, or we didn't go, and so on...

I'll say it, I feel bad for the guy.

IMO

 

[Reasonable & Just]

In general, in the court of public opinion, if someone was falsely accused of a crime, are they ever really viewed by the public the same way again? For some, I think they are screwed no matter what, the damage is done.

In this case, I don't think anyone will be harder on RT over BT's death, than RT himself.
They left together to do an activity they both enjoyed, one came home, the other one didn't. If only this would have happened, if I would have did this, or we didn't go, and so on...

I'll say it, I feel bad for the guy.

IMO

Plus, her disappearance got so much attention because he said on TV that he believed she was taken in her bikini with her beer. And that still may be a possibility, which is why questions persist. He seemed pretty sure of it, even asking the abductor to return her, no questions asked. The police didn't seem to think so. That started off a lot of negative attention, when this may have just been a woman unable to access her RV in sweltering heat because she couldn't find the keys under the rocks, who then wandered off. Or, she had some other adverse health event, maybe even a snakebite. I imagine this has not been an easy time for him.

 

[JosieMae]

Thanks, Ranch. I read about this some time ago after someone posted a link. If you search for "Death Valley Germans," there are a lot of stories online. I read a few, including:
The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans
[a long article but very interesting to read]


The Hunt for The Death Valley Germans - Companion Reading — Jay Penner Books
[this one is a followup and includes helpful maps]

A Websleuths thread: CA - CA - Egbert Rimkus (dec'd), Cornelia Meyer, & 2 kids, Death Valley, 26 July 1996

Thank you so much for posting this! I had never heard of this case. The first link makes for some fascinating reading.

 

[dmac55]

I think it's possible that cause of death could be undetermined, because of the length of time between known to be missing and remains found
A coroner's COD is not always definitive

I think it's natural for people to wonder, including her son, husband, @dbdb11, other family members, and me
I don't personally need to know her cause of death

As @dbdb11 said:
May she rest in peace

My opinion

 

[K9Enzo]

Plus, her disappearance got so much attention because he said on TV that he believed she was taken in her bikini with her beer. And that still may be a possibility, which is why questions persist. He seemed pretty sure of it, even asking the abductor to return her, no questions asked. The police didn't seem to think so. That started off a lot of negative attention, when this may have just been a woman unable to access her RV in sweltering heat because she couldn't find the keys under the rocks, who then wandered off. Or, she had some other adverse health event, maybe even a snakebite. I imagine this has not been an easy time for him.

Yeah, as soon as RT gave that interview - I thought this is not a good idea. He talks too much, way too much. He's going to get shredded.

But if BT was wearing a bikini and had a beer with her (these are questions he would have been asked, describe what she was wearing, what did she have on her), what else could he say? Then he said out loud, in that interview, what scenarios were running through his head.

I do agree, the bikini and beer was the attention getter. I think its one of the reasons it got the attention of some media - it was in the headline, even here on Webslueths (I'm not criticizing). IMO

ETA: either the headline here on Webslueths was revised or my claim was wrong.