LAKEPORT — A family member of a 65-year-old Dani Simpson-Burch called the Lakeport Police Department yesterday to request they conduct a welfare check. Upon reaching residence at 60 Lily Cove Avenue shortly after 7 p.m., police deputies discovered the woman dead. Her small dog was also deceased. Police are calling both deaths suspicious.
Detective Norm Taylor is leading the investigation. Although he would not say whether carbon monoxide poisoning could be a cause of death he said, “We should be able to give out more information to that in a future? it is part of the investigation to determine what the cause of death of the dog is as well, to see if it fits the apparent method of death.”
After the victim was found to be non-responsive, deputies contacted the Lakeport Fire Department, who responded and confirmed the victim was deceased.
According to a press release, the time of death has not been confirmed. Initial information discovered at the scene appeared to indicate the death was a possible suicide. Upon further investigation, inconsistencies were discovered raising questions regarding the death. As a result, a search warrant was obtained for the residence and items were recovered to assist in determining what happened.
It did not appear the victim was the only occupant of the residence, Taylor said.
Three officers were at the scene all night working on the investigation, until 8 a.m. The Lake County Sheriff/Coroner was called to the scene and arrived at 6 a.m., Taylor said. “We cleared from the scene, it has been released and the work there finished.”
He said at this point it is still too early to say whether or not the case will come to a clear conclusion. The department expects to release more information about the investigation in the future.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com.
