Update: Wednesday, 11:30 am – The Mono Sheriff’s Office issued another brief statement to say Dr. Bourne was found on Hot Creek Hatchery Road by his wife. Here is the full press release:
“On Tuesday, January 24th, 2012, at approximately 4:00pm, Mono County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a deceased male that was found on the Hot Creek Hatchery Road outside the Town of Mammoth Lakes area.
Dr. Andrew Bourne, age 46, of Mammoth Lakes, was found deceased by his spouse. There is no evidence to suspect foul play in the death; however, the final cause of death is still under investigation.”
The tragic story of Dr. Andrew Bourne of Mammoth Lakes and his recent arrest turned an even darker corner Tuesday night when the Mono Sheriff’s Department confirmed reports that Dr. Bourne had died. Privately, highly placed Mammoth sources called his death suicide. The Mono Sheriff’s Department said the cause of death is under investigation.
KEYT News of Santa Barbara reported that sources told them that Bourne took his own life by injecting himself with drugs. The Sheriff’s Department reported in a brief press release that their dispatch received a call Tuesday at 4pm regarding a deceased man in the Mammoth Lakes area. Officers said that the 46-year-old Dr. Bourne was found unresponsive. Some reports said his body was found out Hot Creek Rd.
The Sheriff’s press release said that Long Valley Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Mono County Paramedics and Mono Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene. Officers said when units arrived on scene, it was determined that Dr. Bourne was deceased.
The press release said that foul play is not suspected and the cause of death is under investigation. Again, other sources, including KEYT News of Santa Barbara reported that Bourne took his own life.
On January 5th, Santa Barbara Police had arrested Bourne and Joe Walker of Mammoth Lakes on sex crime allegations involving a 15-year-old Santa Barbara girl. Bourne faced eight counts of illegal communication with a minor to facilitate sexual activity. Earlier this month, Bourne had lost his surgical contract at Mammoth Hospital, and he resigned from his seat on the Mammoth School Board.
The Mammoth Hospital website recites the many good deeds of Dr. Bourne’s life, including his extensive education, many surgeries, teaching and volunteer surgeries in Mexico, Jamaica and the Philippines. He also volunteered in a trauma surgery program at a US Army Medical Center caring for casualties of war in the Middle East.
Bourne’s service to others was eclipsed by the arrest and charges. As many in the community of Mammoth Lakes talked about Bourne’s death, others pointed to a report in the Santa Barbara News-Press that said Deputy District Attorney Mary Barron had told the Judge in Bourne and Walker’s case that Dr. Bourne “allegedly discussed with the alleged victim his intent to commit suicide to evade charges.”
This is tragic all the way around. Obviously, there was something going on – whether it was illegal or at minimum inappropriate, what motivation could the DA possibly have to arrest these men other than to protect the victim? While I am sure it is shocking to imagine someone so… Read more »
He was a good man. Liked by all who knew him. He will be missed.
Dear Glenn Clark,
Well said. Thank you.
In regards to Dr. Andrew Bourne the only thing that comes to mind is the poem by Thomas Dylan: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night. What a sad day was yesterday.
This post is in reply to a previous post in which the writer made an observation of Dr. Bourne being selfish. Selfish, can you say it is so selfish, can you relate what he was going through in his heart, in his mind? The man was a most caring man,… Read more »
Thank you so much for what you wrote. I am a very close friend of Andy’s and you are right. He was in so much pain because everyone assumed that what they read was true. That if he was accused he must be guilty. People are harsh and judge others… Read more »
We are absolutely heartbroken about the loss of Andy Bourne. We wish so much we could attend his memorial service, but we will be there in spirit. Our entire family sends condolences to his family and friends. We always believed in him.
A fund for the benefit of Gilann Bourne & Family has been set up at the Eastern Sierra Community Bank in Mammoth Lakes. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to “FBO Gilann Bourne & Family” (Account # 5015553) and dropped off or mailed to: Eastern Sierra Community Bank… Read more »
Thank you for the info. I will contribute.
Every day when I see the scars on my body, I am reminded of Dr. Bourne and how hard he worked to save my life. I will forever be grateful to him. He was an amazing man and extremely gifted surgeon, and it pains me that this tragedy happened to… Read more »
This is terrible. Andy did a lot for the health and well-being of our community. He will be missed.
Dr. Bourne performed emergency surgery on one of my relatives and was professional, competent, and compassionate. I don’t know anything about his personal life, but everything I have heard from people who did know him suggests that he was a good man. Let’s also recall that he was NOT accused… Read more »
If he was guilty perhaps society & the courts could have looked at other ways to see justice was done for both the moral and punitive issues instead of jail. In lieu of jail time at a cost to tax payers, put a tracking chip in him and assign convicted… Read more »
I’m sure Dr. Bourne was a great doctor. That does not mean he may not have been responsible for awful crimes against a 13 year old girl. Those who think he was not capable of doing this because he was a great doctor or a good friend are in denial… Read more »
WHAT HEINOUS ACTS???? You don’t know what happened! You are just making up an imaginary world as you find need for some awful purpose.
I did not say he was guilty; I said many people have hidden lives and many people in our messed up world do commit such crimes against children. As I said, we will never know what happened. Our thoughts moving forward should be on the families and especially the children.
This whole thing is a tragedy for everyone involved, and their families. Let’s hope that they get compassion, and help to cope with everything that has happened.
This man was not a monster. Hold your judgment. He was a good man and none of us know the whole story. If it is true, he made a bad decision. Or got to far in to something that he shouldn’t have. If it is not, than shame on all… Read more »
How could you even say something like that. What a horrible statement to even utter. You should believe nothing of the sort. Joe Walker is a strong man and will make it through this to move on with his family and friends.
Just a note from an observer in Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara DA and staff have had some very questionable dealings of late and lets all hope they didn’t botch up their facts about the doctor and what he did. My gut is that the DA bungled this up big… Read more »
Carol – Like so many others, including the DA probably in asking for a million bail, you assume that doctors are wealthy. That is not particularly always the case- I know the Bourne family who WERE comfortable, but not “enough in the plate to forego the bail”
I believe Carol meant that they have enough on their plates at the moment, and hopefully they do not lose whatever monies were put down for bail. the least of the worries I am sure.
What a tragic ending to a very tragic story. While he did not go to trial, he was tried by each of us that rendered an opinion of the story as it unfolded in the media (including myself). I know that he created the events that happened but I can’t… Read more »
@ amazed in bishop: “I can’t help but think how horrible it must have been the last few days of his life.” Any number of people saw Dr. Bourne Nordic skiing up at Tamarack on Sunday…it was a beautiful day….he was skiing and smiling…enjoying a sport at he loved….. …in… Read more »
Note to Mr. Walker — you have much to live for, you have much to contribute to this world and your children….if you made this horrible mistake please ask for forgiveness and do your time and look to a better future….if you are wrongly accused, hang in there and work… Read more »
Regardless of what he was accused of….regardless of everyone’s judgements….can we focus on the fact that there is a loss and there are a couple children who no longer have a living father….prayers go out to them.
Such a tragic loss to the community, friends and most of all – family. Until all the facts are known, this remains just that – a tragic loss. Who knows what was going through his mind during his last few hours, and who are we to judge? “Let he who… Read more »
Amen
My heart goes out to his family
what happens with Bourne’s bail in a case like this ?
I imagen the family has enough in the plate to lose the bail ?!
The bondsman gets the 10%, or $7,500 paid by the family or whomever when the case is dropped due to the defendant’s death.
Dr. Bourne’s attorney told Sierra Wave that the family gets the bond back in this case.
BK
Andy saved my brother’s life during his time as a surgeon. He was humble, caring, attentive. We knew him personally in this community and loved him – so many tears have been shed over this loss. I would have still loved and respected him as a doctor and a person… Read more »
You describe the man I knew. Those that gloat at his death are pathetic…
I couldn’t agree more. Dr. Bourne saved my daughter’s life. He went above and beyond what anyone else could’ve done. We are indebted to this man and feel so terrible for his family. I believe in remdemption and hoped to see him live to redeem himself. I think he had… Read more »
I remember Dr. Bourne saved my life twice, within one month apart.I can remember in post op my recovery room, he stood behind me and I told him” thank you!” you saved my life, you’re an angel!! I have only good thoughts about him and feel his giving spirit around… Read more »
I just know that Dr. Bourne saved my husband’s life after he was in a terrible bicycle crash last year. Dr. Bourne was caring and his expertise was remarkable. He often shed tears with us when the situation looked hopeless, and again when it became clear when he would survive,… Read more »
Yes amen
Good riddance to a terrible man.
SQLGuy, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” (from the Bible, can’t remember exactly where, but could find it, or I’ll bet someone can help me with that part) Is that you, the one who could cast the first stone?? There was only one man who walked… Read more »
You did not know him, obviously, nor do you know the details of the situation. There are always multiple sides to every situation. And the only “terrible,” thing here is the loss and pain that is being experienced by the family and friends and the trauma that this young woman… Read more »
I’m sorry for this whole sordid mess, but I owe him this much: from what little I knew of Dr. Bourne as one of his patients, he was anything but terrible to me.
She reported “Tuesday night” and I think it’s Tuesday night?? Very sad, especially for his kids.
When the report first came out, it was written “last night” in reference to Monday evening. It was changed afterwards to reflect Tuesday evening.
Somehow i cant help thinking that in some way this more selfish than what he allegedly did. Sad for the family.
“The tragic story of Dr. Andrew Bourne of Mammoth Lakes and his recent arrest turned an even darker corner last night when the Mono Sheriff’s Department confirmed reports that Dr. Bourne had died.”
This happened today, not last night. And absolutely horrible for his family. They are in my thoughts.
OMG….no matter what was in those e-mails, this is sad…the man has young children. Didn’t even get his day in court
Way to forget about the victim sierragrl.
he had his day in court, he choose the death sentence.
So much for if he was guilty or not…..
Your motto – “Comfort the inflicted and inflict the comfortable” ;You certainly lived up to your motto Trial by media – what happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?. You have inflicted the comfortable, now are you willing to comfort the inflicted (his family)?
Comfort the afflicted/ Afflict the comfortable does not mean don’t tell the truth. We told the best truth we could find in this terribly unfortunate situation. The motto means that we look to society for those who are suffering and those who are taking far too much advantage. Aside from… Read more »
Sadly, a lot of time, the best truth is bias’d with personal thoughts and agendas .. just saying. It would be nice if we had a better news source that doesn’t bring those in to the news, especially in regard to local issues.