UPDATE: Inyo Sheriff’s Officers have said that the death of a third man on the reservation, Buzzie Beaver, is not connected to the deaths of the two individuals on Pa Ha Lane. Officers said Mr. Beaver’s death was a different day and different location
Sunday afternoon before one o’clock, a call came into the Inyo Sheriff’s Office. Someone had discovered a man and a woman dead in their bed at a home on Pa Ha Lane in Bishop.
Inyo Sheriff Bill Lutze said that the male and female were in their late teens or early twenties. He said there was no obvious sign of trauma – no gunshot wounds or other signs of violent death.
Sheriff Lutze said, “A young person tried to wake them up and couldn’t.” The call to the Sheriff’s Office happened around 12:40 pm Sunday. Officers and Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene. The Sheriff’s ID team also went to work on the case.
The Sheriff said that the investigation will take some time. Toxicology tests generally take more than a month. Asked what the relationship was between the deceased man and woman, Sheriff Lutze said that was unknown.
At the scene Sunday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol had closed off Pa Ha Lane. Crime scene tape surrounded the house where the couple was found. Officers said it was family members and others who gathered outside on the street.
After I was granted permission to stand on the street opposite the crime scene, men in the crowd started to yell, “Get out of here! Have some respect.” A man who identified himself as Raymond Stone* got in my face, tried to intimidate me and then hit my camera with his hand. I went to look for an officer and several men kept yelling. I explained this was just my job. Sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers worked to calm the unruly men.
Finally a woman in tears came up to me and said she was the mother of the dead. She asked if I could leave soon. I assured her I would and expressed our regret at her loss.
The investigation continues.
* Raymond L. Stone, not to be confused with Raymond P. Stone.
You’re welcome Big Al. I think Benett was delicately trying to handle a difficult situation. In some ways, I wish more attention would have come to my aide when my son passed away. Sure, I agree, there is a time and place for everything, but, from what I have read… Read more »
I have read all of the posts, and it really upsets me that everyone chooses to argue during a time of tragedy. Two young people have passed away. Benett was doing her job, nothing more, nothing less. I feel we are fortunate to have someone who is passionate about reporting… Read more »
Why do some on the Res classify individuals as “outsiders”? Bishop is way to small to have such division. It’s rediculous how some are still playing the victim after 400 years. The outsider comment was as racist as it gets. And yes your people are dying off this article is… Read more »
Mark, I really do not think the original remark regarding outsiders was really meant to be racist, this was just a family thing, with a camera rolling on their grief, just put yourself in their place and wonder how you would feel to have someone filming your grief. As much… Read more »
I meant to say …it really was not meant to be a racist remark .. ughhh typo!
Thank you Gina … one comment … started this .. sad, but it always seems to go that way no matter the tragedy.
When can we let this 400 year issue be at rest? Society today has nothing to do with what happened then. If i had the power i would make a deal to any indigenous person in America; that would be i would gladly gather up all “outsiders” , leave this… Read more »
Yes amen Ex local.
Can someone please explain what exactly an “outsider” is?
Sounds like a RES thing. Or a gang thing.
She is not a member of the family, she is not a member of the tribe, nor a member of the native community. She is an outsider. It’s as simple as that and it has nothing to do with gangs. I find it interesting, Mark, that during the course of… Read more »
Are your people ever going to assimilate into society? Or will you die off and become extinct like the dinosaurs? It sounds like the tribe is racist towards what you call outsiders. I find the comment offensive and racist. I hope the investigation discovers the cause of death. It’s very… Read more »
and just cause they were on the REZ doesn’t automatically make them Heroin users theres just as much druggies in the white community as there is on the REZ so LOL at you
I have to say Mark your comments about assimilating into society is high offensive to read in that context. I get the underlying thing, the bur under you blanket, but I don’t get what you found offensive and racist? Natives are people too .. they are entitled to their grief… Read more »
In regard to this comment, I will quote you in your previous comment: “I think we can only speculate what happened unless you were right there to see it all.” In regard to any more comments on this story, I stand by the story. If you want to bring up… Read more »
I hope you understand what I’m saying Benett, yes I wasn’t there, and yes it was speculation on my part, but in reading your words about it, I could pick up on the emotion you were feeling, in their attack, or how it was perceived as an attack, yes it… Read more »
*maybe it could have been reported .. without .. the camera. need sleep lol
Not when you have television news.
BK
Even with Television news, you can report an article with commentary and no film.
Does that also mean Law Enforcement and investigators were “outsiders” when they were at the scene ?….like it or not,whether it’s on the reservation,or the middle of town,when two young people are found deceased in a home,and especially in a small town, it’s going to be news-worthy…and,unfortunatly,people are going to… Read more »
There are really no words to describe how insensitve and offensive your comment is, especially considering the recent loss of life in our community. You asked someone to explain what was meant by ‘outsider’ and I did. It has nothing to do with race. I think you may be confused… Read more »
Well said High Sierra 395, I hope everybody reads your first paragraph twice.
I am certainly glad Sheriff Lutze got the news out and that bennet reported, I dont think she meant any harm. The sooner the air is cleared and the public is informed the better. the public does have concern for our neighbors, and families safety. Condolences to the family of… Read more »
Your story does not answer any questions about what happened. It only tells the result which in turn causes more stories and rumors maybe you should have waited til you had some details if you really wanted to be informative. You are just like the all the rest of the… Read more »
For God’s sake people, cut the thoughtless speculation and get a clue about the news media. Number one – we report what we know. Not to report that two people were found dead would be a dereliction of duty. No one was “rude and insensitive.” Talk about things you have… Read more »
The news media can be helpful in not only reporting the facts, but can also aid as evidence. I was once a news reporter, and have had victim’s families request my news footage, which was later used as evidence. Working in the news media is a demanding profession that requires… Read more »
Hmm wonder what happened to my other post I posted here last night? must not have made the cut!
I disagree Sad for the families … There was and still is no conclusion in the case, the facts in the case were presented as best could be at the time of the report.
If Benett had to wait to report all the facts, we would never have any. Our DA in Bishop refuses to release any public information to the public and press. The police hand over their reports to the DA and our DA bacisally says screw all of our rights to… Read more »
I’m glad you reported this story. As tragic as it maybe as a news site/channel the community wants to know about these incidents……it’s news. Good work, Sierrawave!
Benett, I understand you have a job to do and I hope you can understand why Mr. Stone and the others reacted the way they did, right or wrong. I hope you have enough heart not to file charges against any of them or even ask them to replace your… Read more »
I absolutely do not intend to file charges. I understand the hurt feelings. I also understand the First Amendment.
Thanks,
Benett
Atta girl!
I think that you have to be apart of our community out on the rez and understand the emotional bond we all have with each other we don’t like getting disrespected! I miss and love these two soooo much and can’t believe they’re gone I pray for both families and… Read more »
We are covering the news, not invading privacy or disrespecting anyone. Two people are dead. We will be following this tragic news with calls to law enforcement for the best truth we can find. Yes, I would accept and have accepted and have even covered tragic news of my own… Read more »
Whether this took place on the Rez or not, the Reporter would’ve been there. It’s her job. She’s not purposely invading the privacy of any specific neighborhoods. It’s got to do with the freedom of the press. Not many people like it, but as others wrote, it’s what keeps the… Read more »
Journalists can be your best friend or worst enemy, depending on which side you stand. A true journalistic spirit will drive a reporter to do almost ANYTHING to get a story, and get the true facts of the story. In my opinion Bennett Kessler wasn’t trying to frame Raymond Stone… Read more »
I went to school with the male involved in this incident. He was always a respectable person. I had plenty of pleasant experiences with. In regards to Inyo Native’s comment: I understand first hand how a news reporter can become troublesome when a time of crisis arrives. I also respect… Read more »
R.I.P. You two are missed so much already.
I am truely sorry for the loss of life . I want to send my respects to all thier family and friends. Maybe we can all do something to help the people suffering today .
Amen Trouble
You taught me that, Benett, I assumed you had done it.
Lowering the camera and leaving the scene to calm down the anger might have been more diplomatic than journalistic correctness .
Skandar, That is precisely what I did. Thanks for bringing it up.
Benett Kessler
Does anyone believe its just coincidence two young people die in there sleep on the same night in the same bed?
There’s more to this story.
It could be as simple as carbon monoxide poisoning….it doesn’t mean something sinister happened, just something tragic that doesn’t need to be ‘covered’ as news. I’m betting the reporter was covering it as a possible homicide and wouldn’t have responded otherwise.
You bet wrong. This was a report of two bodies in a home on Pa Ha Lane. Law enforcement treated it as a crime scene with investigators from the Sheriff’s Department and DA’s office. They won’t know the actual cause of death until many tests, an autopsy and all -much… Read more »
I thought about carbon monoxide poisoning, but it hasn’t been cold. Anyone turn their furnace on yet? When two healthy young adults die in the same house, in the same bed, on the same night, something sinister happened. It’s absolutely should be covered as news. How far do you usually… Read more »
sheesh Mark, is it sticking your head in the sand to say it COULD be something that isn’t sinister? Not saying it wasn’t something else…just that it could’ve been. FYi a furnace is not the only appliance that can malfunction and produce carbon monoxide
Mark….and with a case like this,a good chance we,the public,will never know or find out all that is behind this..The way a matter such as this is handled by authorities here,my guess is very little will come out…and even if it does,what could be believed,or just maybe something to report… Read more »
Geez Benett Talk about insult to injury! Its obvious this individual was upset and for you to think it is pertinent to the story to add his name in only shows what kind of news you want to publish. I feel it was very unnecessary. Give us news not individual… Read more »
This was more than intrusion – it was angry and violent, and, yes, this is news. The man willingly gave me his name.
If the First Amendment caves at every intimidation, how long do you think it would last?
Benett Kessler
If you really felt your experience was the story, you should change the headline to “Grieving Family Angered by Intrusive Presence of Local Blogger.”
My experience was not THE story. I was there to get the story – the tragic death of two young people. I respectfully stood on the side of the road and shot video of the crime scene. Some angry, out of control men chose to attack me. That, too, is… Read more »
Benett,
If there are no signs of foul play why are you calling it a crime scene?
I am not. Law enforcement is.
BK
Some angry out of control men just lost there family. I’m sure you would feel the same way.
No, I wouldn’t. When I have lost members of my family, I did not attack news media who were interested.
BK
That said, this is a sad sad incident, God bless the family of the individuals.
I understand both sides of this argument. I can see how in the eyes of the victims’ loved ones, a reporter can seem intrusive. As an outsider hearing the rumors start to fly after the incident and not knowing what was going on in our town, the first place I… Read more »
Well said 1234!!
My one encounter with Raymond Stone showed him to be an extremely friendly, generous and gentle man. I can only imagine what he must have been going through to provoke this reaction.
Isn’t a reporter supposed to avoid becoming a part of the story? It can be seen as biased and unprofessional. Instead of covering a tragedy involving the unexpected deaths of two young people, the story devolves into describing the anger displayed by a grieving tribal member. A man who reacted… Read more »
The violent anger expressed by the crowd there was part of the story. It wasn’t the story that devolved into anger, it was the people there. News reporters have a job to do. Reporting is certainly not disrespect. The tragic deaths of two young people is news. I carefully stood… Read more »
Take a lesson from “Society of Professional Journalism” just some excerpts from their site. “Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.” “Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected… Read more »
Good points, and I exercised all of the above.
Benett Kessler
You know at first I thought the same way. Then after really thinking it through, especially in this situation, it’s true sometime throprter becomes almost a part of whats happening. Not the story, but what happening. She was just as outside the home as all the other others were. We… Read more »
Sorry about the spelling issues. It’s early and I am typing sans coffee and glasses
Note, The reporter will only be a part of the story when someone calls attention to them as this man apparently did. I’m pretty sure Benett Kessler was doing what a reporter is supposed to do and in the manner in which it is called for. If any of the… Read more »