LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The death of a Lower Lake man whose body was found last week remains under investigation.
Lake County News has independently confirmed that the man found dead last week was Mark Bartholomew Johnson, 52, of Lower Lake.
Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and Lake County Fire Protection District had responded to the 23000 block of Morgan Valley Road near Rocky Creek Roads late on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 21, on the report of a male assault victim, as Lake County News has reported.
Reports from the scene indicated that Johnson – who owned property in the area – was found on the ground next to his pickup, with both he and the vehicle covered with blood.
His body has reportedly been taken to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office, which handles autopsies for Lake County.
Officials are reported to be continuing the investigation.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has blacklisted Lake County News and is refusing to release any details about Johnson’s death to this news organization.
However, at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Undersheriff Pat Turturici stated that the case was not a homicide.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.