MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – The cause of death for a Redwood Valley man who died in an October house fire has been ruled accidental.
The body of Courtney James Collins, 66, was found in his home in the 3800 block of Radical Ridge Road on the evening of Oct. 3, as Lake County News has reported.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported that it was dispatched to the burned home for a coroner’s case after Cal Fire found the remains.
A Sonoma County forensic odontologist later assisted in identifying the human remains as Collins through the use of dental comparisons.
On Wednesday, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office concluded the coroner's investigation into Collins’ death.
After review of the Cal Fire investigation report and the forensic autopsy report the coroner’s office classified Collins’ death as being accidental with the cause of death being fourth-degree thermal burns.