Law and Disorder 11-19

On the morning of 11/11, the body of Buellton resident Richard Dean Harvey, 53, was found inside a vehicle at a Gaviota rest stop on the northbound side of Highway 101. An autopsy revealed no signs of foul play; however, a cause of death had yet to be determined. Toxicology reports won’t be available for several weeks, a Sheriff’s Department spokesperson said.

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Several pieces of human bone were found in the area of the Jesusita Trail on 9/6 just north of the San Roque Reservoir, and Santa Barbara sheriff’s detectives are now asking for the public’s help in identifying the remains. The bones appear to be that of a male, age 20 to 45, from 5’6″ to 6’3″ in height, according to sheriff’s spokesperson Drew Sugars. A pair of glasses and a necklace with a pendant were also found in the vicinity of the bones, which investigators say had been in the area several months prior to the Jesusita Fire. Anyone with information can call the detective bureau at 681-4150 or the anonymous tip line at 681-4171.

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The father of the boy who accused pop star Michael Jackson of child molestation in the early 1990s committed suicide in New Jersey this week. Evan Chandler, whose body was found in a luxury apartment, reported the alleged abuse of his then-13-year-old son Jordy to authorities in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, triggering a 13-month investigation by the Santa Barbara District Attorney. The case ended when Jackson settled with the Chandlers for an undisclosed sum. The boy, now 29, has never spoken publicly about the charges.

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Santa Barbara Fire crews responded to a fire at Cleveland Elementary School on 11/17. The fire broke out just after 5 a.m., and soon after three engines, a ladder truck, and a battalion chief arrived at the school, located at 123 Alameda Padre Serra. The fire began outside a classroom at the rear of the campus and leapt into the room itself. According to officials, the blaze was quickly contained and knocked down and the school was open for the day.