Crime & Safety
Man Who Jumped Into Napa River, Died Identified
A Napa County sheriff's official says the man was living in his car at the time of his death, the cause of which is pending toxicology tests
NAPA, CA — The Napa County Sheriff's Office has identified a man who died after he jumped into the Napa River earlier this month as John Spencer Loftus, 24, of Napa. A witness saw a man in his underwear running erratically along the riverbank in the Oxbow Preserve open space area on McKenzie Drive around 8:50 p.m. on May 19, Napa police said.
The witness said the man jumped into the river and then yelled for help. Police arrived and tried to throw the man a rope but he couldn't reach it because of vegetation along the riverbank.
The Napa Fire Department responded with a boat and rescue swimmer. Loftus was unconscious and unresponsive when he was removed from the water.
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The cause of death is pending results of toxicology tests, said sheriff's Capt. Steve Blower.
Loftus was living in his car at the time of his death, Blower said.
Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- ORIGINAL STORY: Man Dies After Jumping Into Napa River
By Bay City News Service
Photo: Shutterstock.com
