You will have to read this story to completely understand this post - http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011111128010.

The answer is - no one knows yet.  But, details - more than printed in this story - were provided by the deputy coroner / investigator before toxicology results were available.  I originally learned of this the same way as the media - a press release from the investigating deputy coroner.  The media reported, following up on the press release.  What this follow-up story mentioned is that drugs were found on or about the decedent and needle tracks in his arm.  There is no mention of preliminary results (urine drug screen for alcohol and drugs of abuse).

This is not something you should be reporting to the media in an active investigation.  Here's why...

I had a case a few years ago, while at the coroner's office, in which another agency 'unidentified source' reported a college student died of a drug overdose and cocaine was in the room. No one attempted to speak to me, as the deputy coroner / death investigator that was on scene.  Our policy, at that time at least, was to not release details of an active investigation or inconclusive autopsy results.  In fact, I had explicitly promised the family that our office (my employer at that time, coroner/ME office) did not release information and they would hear all details from me, personally, first.  Guess who I heard about the breaking news from?  Yes, the family!  I had a long chat with the other agency supervisors and that reporter to assure it would not happen again.  I should note that the reporter did a follow-up story based upon our conversation. Unfortunately damage was done - the decedent's and family's reputation was impugned.  It was devastating to the family to read this before I could even report back to them after autopsy, including that toxicology was pending and the preliminary drug screen was negative. 

In my case, it turned out neither were true. Although the family was glad the end result was not a drug overdose - or any found in his system - they were still devastated about the release of false preliminary information. As professional investigators - private or government - we have to be really careful what we release to the media and public.

Unfortunately, this was not the first time - and it won't be the last - that this particular investigator has impugned the decedent or released information in an active investigation.  He is known for disgracing the dead, and their families. Unfortunately, due to a close - very close - relationship within that office (cronyism and nepotism), nothing as usual will happen.  In death investigation, private or public sector, you work for the decedent first, families second. 

I don't know if this college student died of a drug overdose - to be honest, no one does.  If the toxicology comes back negative, does it 'prove' this story - and those maligning the decedent - right?  Maybe factually, but not morally.  Investigations are to be completed, not simply conducted - and this has not happened in this investigation or the reporting.  Reporters report what they are given, that's their job.  Investigators are to investigate - not malign decedents or provide information to form unfounded facts in an active investigation.

Voltaire - "To the living we owe respect.  To the dead we owe only the truth."  Remember, its the families that have to live with this, not the rag reader.
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The local newspaper did this business profile on us - published Monday 10/10/2011.  Although we did not choose the title, interestingly they chose to describe us as a 'team', our first emphasis, and 'pride', our second emphasis.  PRIDE is an acronym we use for Professional Reliable Investigators Defining Excellence.

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20111010/BUSINESS/110100313/-1/

Explain what you do.Answer: We are expert consultants and legal investigators of personal injury, negligence and death in civil, criminal and probate litigation and related matters.

Q: Private investigators have been glamorized on television, movies and plays as masters of disguise and intrigue. What is it like in reality?

A: Particularly in our specialties, there is not much glamour - but there is satisfaction in helping those victimized and affected by traumatic, often fatal, events.

Q: What kind of investigations make up the bulk of your business?

A: Expert consultations in injuries, injury causation and death have become increasingly in demand.

These may be in civil or criminal cases, as well as what is referred to as equivocal death investigation - when there is a question as to the cause and manner of death, at least in the view of the family or their legal representative.

Civil investigations, from motor vehicle collisions to negligence of another, is the bulk of the legal investigative, followed by criminal defense.

Q: You have branched out into forensic investigations. What is the difference between that and private investigations?

A: We began forensic investigations in 2000 and now concentrate primarily in that area as it relates to our specialized services. Private investigators play an important role in our society and legal system - for the individual, business, insurance, attorney and others. Private investigators may provide surveillance, backgrounds, process service and other services in workplace, domestic and also civil and criminal cases.

Legal investigators focus on civil plaintiff (representing a person who is alleging to have been wronged by the actions of another) or criminal defense. Forensic investigations focuses on the facts and evidence necessary for our judicial system, particularly the judge and jury, to make informed decisions. We like to say that forensics represents Facts or Reasonable Evidence Necessitating Systematic Investigative and Critical Solutions.

Q: Generally speaking, what's been your most exciting case?A: Any case in which we have helped a client, victim or family member begin to find solutions and closure to a traumatic event. It is not possible to be in their position, but we feel with our help on their legal team, we can make their position better.

One memorable case involved extensive work for the victim of a motor vehicle collision who could not recall what happened. We were able to prove, through witnesses and scene investigation, what happened and that the responsible party's statements were false and not possible to have happened as they reported.

Another also involved a motor vehicle collision and being able to prove for the decedent's family that the responsible party, although in possession of a narcotic legally, had used it illegally just before the collision, proving his negligence and not that of the decedent.

Q: How did you get into the investigation business?

A: Dean worked for a local family-owned grocery store and began deciding a career change was necessary. Having long had an interest in investigations, he attempted to work for other investigators but none was hiring during a troubling economic time. Instead, he decided to form his own agency and teach himself what needed to be done. In 1996, Karen began expanding her knowledge and working cases.

Q: Tell our readers one thing that would surprise them about your business.

A: Private investigations has always been one of the fastest-growing small businesses in the U.S. It also has one of the lowest rates of survival in under five years. A recent study found that, just as with 20 years ago, there are as many new investigators (under two years) as veteran (over 15 years). Dean and Karen are also one of three husband and wife Certified Criminal Defense Investigator teams in the U.S. and Dean is one of fewer than 80 certified legal investigators worldwide.

DEAN AND KAREN BEERS » Ages: Average age is 49
» Occupation: Legal investigators
» Business: Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
» Business address: home-based business in LaPorte
» Business hours: Consultations are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday but work is literally 24/7.
» Business contact information: Office - (970) 480-7793; General email - Associates@ Forensic-Investigators.com; website: www.forensic-investigators.com