Autopsy finds no obvious cause of death
Young woman's body dumped in Loomis
A forensic autopsy performed on the body of a young woman found last Friday adjacent to Del Oro High School failed to determine a cause of death, according to Lt. Jeff Ausnow, with Placer County Sheriff’s Department. “Even during the autopsy, there were no obvious signs of death,” Ausnow said. Ausnow said they are now awaiting results of a toxicology report, which could take six weeks or longer. “The toxicology report may indicate something other than foul play,” Ausnow said. The victim was identified as Charsha Rene Smith, 20, of Del Paso Heights. Her body was found dumped about 10 feet from Boyington Road near the intersection of King Road, according to a Sheriff’s Department press release. Ausnow said that at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, a woman walking discovered the body of a young woman near the parking lot of Del Oro High School, off of Boyington and King roads. Ausnow said there were no obvious signs of trauma on Smith’s body that would indicate a cause of death. He said the body appeared to have been placed at the location sometime during the night and the victim most likely died elsewhere. A portion of Boyington Road was closed for most of the day while investigators scoured the scene for clues. Investigators processed the scene and utilized the California Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team to interpret and document tire tracks in the area. When the body was initially discovered there was fear that it could possibly be a Del Oro student. Principal Dan Gayaldo was at the scene during the early part of the investigation. Gayaldo said he was “shocked” when he received the phone call about a body found next to the campus. “I was concerned that it was a Del Oro student, past or present,” Gayaldo said. The principal said he was relieved to find out the victim wasn’t a local person, but said it was very tragic. Investigators are still treating the case as a homicide. Sheriff’s detectives are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the Sheriff’s Department at (530) 886-5375. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash award for information leading to an arrest or arrests may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-923-8191.
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Maybe the cameras at the gas stations off Penryn exit caught somehting on tape?
I wanted to sincerely thank all of the heartfelt, concerned, HUMAN citizens of Loomis who found it in their hearts to stop and even fell the pain that Charsha's family and friends are feeling right now THANK YOU(you know who you are). Some of the people of your city really seem cruel or even predjudice for that matter. Reading those comments tonight really made me feel even more pain that my neice CHARSHA RENEE SMITH even had to be found in such a place. IIt shouldn't matter what the police are doing or who's senseless comment said wha the fact still remains s a young lady was found dead DEAD does that not mean anything?. One person had something to say about the street being closed, another was concerned about what the office had to do over the holiday weekend, and another as long as the person found was't a resident of Loomis "HEY SHE'S NOT ONE OF US". kinda of an thing. You know some people.............do actually read your paper beside the bloggers...THANKS BUT NO THANKS. I sure hope I never have to stop in your town.
I wanted to sincerely thank all of the heartfelt, concerned, HUMAN citizens of Loomis who found it in their hearts to stop and even fell the pain that Charsha's family and friends are feeling right now THANK YOU(you know who you are). Some of the people of your city really seem cruel or even predjudice for that matter. Reading those comments tonight really made me feel even more pain that my neice CHARSHA RENEE SMITH even had to be found in such a place. IIt shouldn't matter what the police are doing or who's senseless comment said wha the fact still remains s a young lady was found dead DEAD does that not mean anything?. One person had something to say about the street being closed, another was concerned about what the office had to do over the holiday weekend, and another as long as the person found was't a resident of Loomis "HEY SHE'S NOT ONE OF US". kinda of an thing. You know some people.............do actually read your paper beside the bloggers...THANKS BUT NO THANKS. I sure hope I never have to stop in your town.
If you have something helpful please come forward and give any information you may have to the locals. The person could possibly be out there is anyone even afraid for themselves. I was going to tell my sister to read the comments at first they were sincere. then as the days went by........wow.. I apologize for anyone who took my comment to heart that wasn't for you it was for the one's with no heart... I personally feel safe that the officers of LOOMIS are affended and want to get to the bottom of this as soom as possiblel don't you? Please keep it respectable or have we lost that in the shuffle as well?
Wake up blog writers- Think about how your senseless, cruel words can hurt others. You hurt Charsha, family and friends.
What is the right thing to do to atone for the pain you caused?
I think the Auburn Journal should set up some guidelines for their online Posting A Comment.
Such as "All comments will be reviewed before they appear. Spam, profane language, personal attacks or inappropriate comments will not be posted, and we reserve the right to edit or delete any comments that violate these guidelines".
These families just got the most terrible news that their loved ones suddenly and painfully died. Put yourself in their place. How would you feel if you were treating like this? People were hurt terribly by these senseless comments that demonstrated a disrespect for the dead. Those police officers had to do a better job of caring and helping the family than some of the people writing on this blog. Some people use this blog to bring up their own emotional issues. Venting about cops at someone else expense (people who die) is hurtful. Anyone who has a death in the family is going to look at the newspaper to find answers. Wouldn't you look at the paper for answers? Please stop hurting people. It isn't right to hurt innocent people.
It is so sad that someone only 20 years old died at a young age. What is wrong with you to write such comments???
sadinsacramento, first I would like to apologize for any comments made by people that chose the death of this young lady to vent their animosity towards people that have been critical of law enforcement recently. None of the comments that you perceived as dehumanizing or "not being one of us" were meant in that context. The principal went to the scene out of concern for the students past or present at Del Oro High School, what he said was not intended to be interpreted in the manner you did, it was relief at the person not being a student. What he did is akin to hearing a crash by your house at a time when someone in your house gets home, you run outside to see if it was them and when you see it wasn't you feel relief, that by no means denotes that you don't care.
Loomis is a very small town and rather close knit, I don't believe that anyone doesn't feel the family's pain, it was just some people that chose the wrong story to vent their disdain for other people that have been critical of law enforcement. Wrong time, wrong place and wrong story to do that.
Please don't judge the town or it's people by the actions of the very few.
There are good people here and some of us made comments reflecting that. The negative comments that were used as debate material were tasteless and cruel. I, for myself, told the offenders at the beginning of the classless comments to knock it off... but to no avail.
As I said... there are good people here. Ignore the comments from the classless.
Look back and see that there were comments expressing concern over the loss of Charsa. The rest were in very, very poor taste.
sadinsacramento, some of your comments were directed toward me. First, let me say I'm am truely sorry for your loss. I sense you don't know the history of the people I listed in my comments. They are constantly criticizing law enforcement for anything they do. They whine about getting a "warning" for speeding while officers work tirelessly investigating your neice's death. My comment about the street being closed was sarcasm toward the people who dislike law enforcement. These are the same folks who will probably ask for leniency for your neice's killer. I do not believe my comments were inappropriate, but I appologize if I offended you. If your neice died at the hands of another, I am confident that the person or persons will be brought to justice so that hopefully you and your family may find some peace.
Analyst: You owe an apology for your comments. They were rude and callous. Saying you don't believe that your comments were inappropriate is not an apology... you were completely out of line.
I think that most of us here were shocked at your behavior, as was the woman's family. Debate is one thing... disrespect is another.
Dear family members of Charsha,
The community of Loomis was shocked and saddened over the discovery of Charsha's body in our town. I'm sure you could understand their relief over learning the victim wasn't some one they knew. Initially, they could put no name of face to the body found alone and abandoned. Still, it was horrifying and disturbing to know that however she died, she ended up here. Now, we have a name, but still know nothing of the person she was. Perhaps, you can share some of that, so that we can relate to her as a young person whose life ended all too soon. Please don't let those blowhard bloggers, who so distastefully used this tragedy to argue their points, convince you that the people of this town would share their views. There are many here who can relate to your family's pain. The bloggers do not represent the views of this community. They are a very vocal minority who choose anonymity to share their views. Our community shares your shock and sorrow, but there is also fear. Many are afraid because the person who did this to Charsha was here and still is out there.
Our heartfelt condolences go to you and your loved ones. We hope Charsha is at peace.
One of many.
I am so sorry about what happened to your neice, Charsha. I am from Auburn and was driving down I-80 when all the traffic was backed up in Loomis. We turned on the radio and heard a young woman's body was found. I felt so sad b/c I have young kids and could'nt imagine how her parents, family and friends were feeling. Who knows what she was doing or what happened but the fact is that this poor girl is gone and everyone who knew her has to suffer. I cant beleive people actually take time to log-in and make nasty comments about this case. There are hardly any facts released so all anyone can do is speculate. Use the facts...not speculation. I hope that her family can pull together and get through this tough time. My thoughts and prayers are with the family...as well as those sick people who want to write nasty things about this.
Sadinsacramento - I am so sorry for the passing of Charsha. I can only, in my first thought, put myself in your family's shoes, imagine that was my son, my only child, who had been so unlovingly treated in that way. It breaks my heart. I and so many others, we grieve with you...
Charsha, on the other hand, knows things we do not. Her death cried out to Heaven and Divine Mercy received her with love that we can not possibly know the fullness of. The Most Merciful One has her now and I can only imagine that if she could audibly speak to all of us, she would tell us not to be angry with each other but to try to understand each other, learn to forgive and be patient in the process. Life is a beautiful thing and no one knows that more, right at this very moment, than Charsha...
I hope that in the near future, you will post a blog about Charsha. We should know this beautiful young woman...she IS one of us...
Saladin, What are you, my mother? Why aren't you addressing your comments to those who actually said something about Charsha? You need to grow a set and let it go.
Analyst, why don't you avoid this particular topic for a while. It's not all about you.
Analyst - I just spent some time looking at your comments concerning this case. I must tell you, that with all due respect, your words trouble me, especially considering what you do for a living. Perhaps your youth and lack of inward reflection are against you. Perhaps you have experienced things that have kept you from gaining wisdom, and healing that you need, atleast in this stage of your life. For that reason, you are essentially useless to those who are in need of the public service you get paid to provide.
Having said that, I will still be glad to speak with you. You have my email address. Please do this before you hurt your career. You don't have to learn these lessons the hard way...
...by the way...I know Saladin, ChuxxR and Ron Schwab and they are some of the finest people I know. You really don't know who you are talking to when you blast Ron Schwab. He knows more about the system you work for than you do. I learned so much from him when I worked for the system...
Sadinsacramento: As I see her birthdate 1/18/1989 this so sad. I hope you can take some form of comfort that she wasindeed found in a nice little town with lots of nice people. We are a small town were you still know your neighbor. Please do not take some the inconciderate short timers around here for all of us. Some of us that were born & raised here don't take this lightly and offer you our heart felt condolences. She won't be forgotten or left to fall into a cold case file. Rest assurred Charsha's family Placer County WILL get their man. Again, my condolences to your family.
Analyst: You could have left off at the end of your second sentence (9:05 AM), but you had to make this all about you. Again...
Hey guys - Let's take it easy on Analyst - it is good for us to correct each other but it will help nothing to berate her over and over. I have opened my mouth, in error, before and was humbled afterwards. It stings!! She may be little overzealous and idealistic when it comes to defending her comrades (boy will that sting when one or more of them turn on her) but she needs the rest of us to set better examples, not tie her to the whipping post...
Analyst- I don't judge anyone. It was about the feelings of the victims and their families. I can tell that you are trying your best. You listen to others who know you need help just like the rest of us need help. Keep trying because it is worth it. Your life will be easier and more fullfilling. The first steps are hard but you have already made much progress today.
We all have to remember that people who live in other communities are reading The Auburn Journal online when tragedy strikes their love ones.
As people we should "above all, do no harm" when we write a comment online. That is how we show - I Am So Sorry for Your Loss, You Have My Deepest Sympathy. Since you have other email addresses you can express yourself privately off of this site too. Some lessons I have learned the hard way by making mistakes. You are lucky to have friends who care about you. I care about you too.
Handyman - Well said, my friend
I went to the Sacramento Bee and read all the comments made there. There has been three articles and much to my surprise, the same mixed bag of comments. Some were even pulled off by the Bee. Oh how this family must be hurting!! If it were my son they were talking about, on top of the loss I would be experiencing, I would feel my heart rip in two. Even a child who isn't "perfect" and maybe going through the trials in life that others judge and condemn, is still loved by those who know them, those who hope for them and those who sacrifice much to try and save them.
We all need to mindfully think about this when we speak or when we write. The guilty is also someone's son or daughter, father, mother, sister, brother. Victims don't always end up in hospitals and morgues. Sometimes they are just people who love someone. It is right to hate the actions of another human being (ourselves included) but we must never hate the person.
Dear Analyst
It is not my intention to offend you. Like observer mentioned it is wise to be mindful of the effect of both our words and actions on others.
Victem wittness counselers, nurses, police, and others, deal with high levels of stress. Loss of empathy, loss of objective thinking, and defensiveness are all symptoms of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. I know because I experienced it.
Life and situations are not rigid and as black and white as you seem to think. I have read your blogs over a period of time and sometimes you even admit to reading inside reports on issues that are appearing in the news. You then use this information to lash out at people who state a different opinion from you. On the Hann blog it was very likely you where argueing with either a family member or friend of the deceased. You brought this on as you where the first blogger and came out swinging. I recieved some vile and threatening comments from a blogger Sti204. Because of the nature of these comments I have to wonder if you had a role in those as well. If you did, I forgive you.
Dear Analyst.
Keep up the progress you made today. We all have struggled learning things we didn't know.
BLUEBIRD made a great suggestion that is easy to follow and will make you feel happier. Just wait to see how your caring friends respond first. Look at what they are saying and then go from there and give your opinion.
Maybe your friends could email their comments to you and explain why they said what they said.
I do a better job at this when I read out loud what I have written before posting it online. I still say things wrong. No one is perfect.
All of us wish you much success, Analyst.
First I want to say I didnt read any of the mean rude inappropriate comments but I would like to apologize that Charsha's family had to read them!! Shame on anyone who said anything uncaring to or about her family! I promise all of us LOOMIS people do NOT share those feelings!!
When my daughter and my sons heard about this we were so very touched by it, I think even more so that it was 2 minutes from our house. In away I felt it was our pain because she was left here, all alone, It was up to us to tell her and her family how sorry we were and try to comfort them. My heart broke for her mom. Being a mom of a 23 year old daughter I could only IMAGINE her pain. There is no way I could say I know how she felt because that is not possible! My teenage sons (Del Oro students) seemed to take it to heart and said right away,'' we take flowers there so her family knows we care and we are sorry" I was shocked at their reacting for being teenagers, so when the cops left late that night we did just that and left a note saying, "Goodbye to someones daughter, someones sister, someones frien R.I. P." and left a note saying" ! The next day my daughter and her baby son also took flowers! We have went a few times just to think about her and say prayers for her and her family. Please know our hearts and prayers go out for Charsha and her family! I looked up her Myspace and she was sure a pretty young lady! Denise
Blubird - Well said comrad
Analyst - Having worked in that environment for a number of years, being behind the scenes of the justice system, seeing so much misery, I often had to go outside and shed a few tears before I could walk back in and do my job, I know what burn-out is. I also know how it affects every other person you work with. You have to take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Bluebird is right about the symptoms of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. It happens to the best of them and it takes alot of self-help and balance to keep all this in prospective. I know...I had to do it and work with others who didn't. Peace to you...
Racerchick12.
Thanks for all you and your sons did for Charsha Rene Smith's family. You are so right that there are no words for that kind of pain. How wonderful for the prayers, note and flowers. In a crisis situation you made it so special. Your sons benefit from the experience in learning to reach out to others with compassion in a time of need. I have always thought I loved living here because this is a friendly place where people take time to say 'Hello' to their neighbor and reach out to help others in their time of need.
First I want to say that I really appreciate the fact that so many had the kind heart to write back. To take the time and the kindness to look into their hearts and feel just a piece of what we in Sacramento are going through. Today we held a candle light memorial for Charsha in Sacramento and the love we felt there was incredible. Charsha was a beautiful young lady with a lifetime of success and possibilites ahead of her. She worked fulltime as a CNA, she graduated high school and had a loving family.. she never got a chance to have kids of her own but she loved all the ones that she came in contact with and you couldnt help but smile when she came into the room you cant see it in that picture of her but her smile was AMAZING. Our family just wants answers at this time and from the words of her mother she believes they will be found in your town. Thank you for all of and your supportive words and encouragements for the family to heal that is not soon coming but it still is nice to hear that someone in LOOMIS cares..Thank you again and if you can give any information to the officer working on the case please, please do so. On a closing note I want to personally appologize to anyone who may have read my previous blog and was taken back "accept my apologies" and for those whos words touched others hearts THANK ALL OF YOU and please don't forget, whatever comes of this tragedy CHARSHA is someone's daughter, sister, granddaughter,neice, cousin and friend...
Charsha's family needs information. The family is asking for help with information. They need help.
I think you said important words that all of us needed to hear. You don't need to apologize. You spoke truth. Hopefully your comments will be remember for the next victim of crime reported in this online newspaper.
I am so glad there was a memorable candle light memorial to celebrate her life. I am sure she will find a way to reach out to you. I never saw birds in the yard until after my dad died. There is this fat crow with an attitude that reminds me of my dad. Maybe you will feel her presence. My mom carries a lock of my dad's hair in a necklace. That way she has a part of him that lives on. Some people plant favorite trees or have other types of memorials that live on. Even a birthstone ring with wording keeps the love connection alive.
I am sure you will always see that radiant smile. People in hospitals and nursing homes never forget a radiant smile. Being a CNA I am sure with her radiant smile she gave joy to many going through difficult, stressful times. It was her way to affirm her love to the world.
Charsha looks so beautiful in her picture. Her perfect complexion was photogenic. So she was beautiful inside as well as on the outside. I will remember your daughter in my heart because she left us so soon. I don't know why this had to be. But I feel blessed to know of her life and of your great love for her. Thanks for sharing.
Has the family been told what caused their beloved Charsha passed away from?