Page 305 - Some Dance to Remember

Some Dance to Remember 275

the knot to the barn’s cross members. The rope had been wrapped once
across both cross members, and a second knot was observed at the bottom
of the wooden cross members.
I examined the body and observed the following. Lividity was observed
in both hands from right above the wrists and also in the lower legs and
feet. The victim was wearing a Medana brand digital wristwatch on his
left wrist. The watch had been programmed to display a timing watch in
seconds and did not display hours, minutes, or month, as is customarily
used. It would appear that the victim either inadvertently pushed the
timer button on the watch or was timing his own death. A gold coin of
some religious type was worn on a gold-colored chain around the victim’s
neck, and the chain had not been disturbed by the rope. The victim was
clad in black leather military type combat boots, green fatigue pants,
military belt, and was stripped from the waist up.
Although I did not notice any signs of a struggle, I did observe a fresh,
bluish scar on the top of the victim’s right forearm. A USMC bulldog type
tattoo was observed on the left upper arm; two other tattoos were on both
lower forearms.
I did not feel any evidence of rigor mortis in the wrist or finger joints.
The victim’s tongue was partially bloated and extended and appeared to
be getting black in color. A search of the barn and the main residence was
conducted, but no note was found. We did have pointed out to us by Sgt.
Harter as a possible clue to motive, or state of mind, that a stereo phono-
graph in the barn living space was left playing on repeat, and the record
on the turntable was an Eagles’ album called Hotel California.
Following our examination and photographing of the body, and our
unsuccessful search for a note, I contacted Mr. Harris Ragsdale of the
Sonoma County Coroner’s Office. I supplied the above information to
him and requested he dispatch Redwood’ Ambulance Service to transport
the body. We left P/O Chase to protect the scene, and Det. Darcangelo
and myself went to the Holiday mobile home to interview family members.
Upon our arrival at the Holiday mobile home, we found several
neighbors had already arrived to console the widow. As stated above, Mrs.
O’Hara had lived at the mobile home for two months. Three days ago
she returned to live at the residence where the incident occurred. Both
Det. Darcangelo and I attempted to interview Sandra O’Hara, but every
attempt was met with hysterics. I began to gather information from Abra-
ham O’Hara, age 16. I was impressed with his ability to relate informa-
tion, but I am concerned about his mental state and the trauma connected
with finding his father’s body. His sisters, Beatrice and Siena, who form a

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