Alameda County Sheriff's Offi ce
Greg ory J. Ahern, Sheriff / Coroner
Coroner's Burea u, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct, Oakland, CA 94605
(51 0) 382-3000 I (51 0) 382-3033 (fax)

Coron er Invest igator's Report
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NAME OF DECEASED (LAST, FIRST MIDDLE)

T ENT;VE ID

HEISNER JR., Barry
REPORTED BY

I

UNID~IFIED

Alameda County Sheriffs Office-ETS

J. Heisner # 1528

(510) 667-3646

INVESTI GATOR

CALL DATE AN D TIME

CASE TYPE

Damon W ilson

10/30/20 16 10:12

Removal Case

DATE AND T IME OF DEATH

DATE OF BIRTH

AG E

GENDER

Male

9/15/1972

44 Years

WGT

EYE COLOR

HAIR COLOR

OCCUPATION

160

Green

Brown

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w
0
w
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0

68

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0

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MARITA L STATUS

Caucasian/White

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VET?

EMPLOYER

Preliminary
Summary

LOCATION OF DEATH

LOD TYPE

Santa Rita Jail

Other
COUNTY

5325 Broder Blvd .. HU 7, Pod E Dublin CA 94568

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REFERENCE NUMBER

RACE

ADDRESS (STREET, CITY, STATE, Z IP)

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2016-03231

REPORTING AG ENCY

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10/30/2016 9:15

CASE NUMBER

REPORTED BY PHONE NO.

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t)

HGT

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Alameda

I Death Certificate Signed By:

Manner

Suicide

Cause A

Aseh~iation

Interva l

Minutes

Cause B

Hanging

Interval

Minutes

Cause C

Interval

Cau se D

Interval

Othe r Significant
Condition s

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LEGAL NEXT OF KIN

RELATIONSH IP

TELEPHONE NO.

NOTIFIED BY

METHOD

DAT E AND TIME

IDENTIF ICATI ON METHOD

DATE AND TIME

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j::

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Personal Identification
LOCATION OF INCIDENT

AT WORK

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ADDRESS (STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP)

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COUNTY

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-

INVESTIGAT ING AGENCY

I

INV AGENCY PHONE NUMBER

Alameda County Sheriffs Office-ETS

i

OFFICER

S. Reid
I

FUNERAL HOME

BODY RELEASED TO FUNERAL HOME ON

a..

Bay Area - A Mortuary Support Services Group

11/3/2016

B

Full Autopsy

Partial Autopsy

~

•

en

Inspection

•

Record Review

•

Inspection w/Specimen

•
Date Printed

13:49

EXAM BY

Thomas W. Rogers
Tuesday , February 28, 2017

•

DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT

 Alameda County Sheriff's Office
Gregory J. Ahem, Sheriff/ Coroner
Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct.,
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 382-3000 I (510) 382-3033 (fax)
Investigator Narrative
Decedent:
Case Number:
Investigator:

HEISNER JR., Barry
2016-03231
Damon Wilson

First Call Information:
On Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 0958 hours: Lieutenant (Lt.) J. Johnson, the Watch Commander at Santa
Rita Jail reported the death of Barry Heisner. Lt. Johnson said Heisner was an inmate housed in Housing
Unit West 7, Pod E cell 5, and hanged himself in his cell. Heisner was arrested on October 18, 2016 but
arrived in Santa Rita Jail on October 19, 2016, at 0442 hours. I told Lt. Johnson I would be arriving at the
jail as soon as possible. ( dlw29)
Medical Summary:
Heisner hanged himself with a dark colored bed sheet. The sheet had been knotted several times on one
end and placed in a narrow space between the upper bunk and the wall of the cell. The knots served to
anchor the sheet in the narrow space. The other end of the sheet was tied around Heisner's neck. (dlw29)
Description of the Death/ Injury Scene:
Heisner died at Santa Rita Jail, in Housing Unit West 7, Pod E cell 5 located at 5325 Broder Boulevard in
the City of Dublin. (dlw29)
Body Identification:
Heisner was identified by the staff at Santa Rita Jail. His inmate summary listed him as Barry Heisner,
Personal File Number (PFN)
and his photograph was on the summary. I (Wilson) also printed
his California identification photo from the Department of Motor Vehicles
. (dlw29)
On November 1, 2016, a fax was received from the Alameda County Central Identification Bureau (CIB)
confirming that the fingerprints taken from the decedent were a match to the fingerprints associated with
Person File Number:
and the name Barry Heisner. (KE1917)
Next of Kin Investigation:
Heisner's marital status was unknown at the time of the first call. However, Heisner was later found to
have had a minor child,
. (dlw29)
There were phone numbers listed in a letter of suicidal intent. I called a number listed for
no answer.

but I got

On Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 1600 hours, I called a number listed for
and asked if she had
information for Heisner's parents. She said she would have someone call me back.
At 1620 hours, I received a call from
and I explained the circumstances of Heisner's death to
him.
said he would notify Heisner's parents ofHeisner's death and would have them call me.

 2

Alameda County Sheriff's Office
Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner
Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct.,
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 382-3000 I (510) 382-3033 (fax)
At 1650 hours, I got a call from
Heisner's step-father.
said Heiner's
biological father was deceased and he (
was married to Heisner's mother,
was very upset and asked if he could call me back. I managed to get his
address and phone number before he hung up.
Heisner was a divorced man with a
death according to

,

and his mother were aware of Heisner's
was Heisner's legal next ofkin.(dlw29)

Other Agency Reports:
Alameda County Sheriff's Office assigned case number 16-019176 for this case. Eden Township
Substation detectives were notified of this incident but declined to respond to the scene. Deputy S. Reid
of Santa Rita Jail was the reporting officer. ( dlw29)
Property and Evidence:
Receipt #37547 was completed for the property and evidence collected. A copy of the receipt was left
with deputies at the scene.
Heisner's personal belongings were collected and brought to the Coroner's Bureau were they were placed
into temporary storage. ( dlw29)
Coroners Fees:
The Coroner's fees amount to $400 which included the cost of the removal and body preparation.
On November 21 , 2016, all Coroner's fees regarding this case were paid in full. (dlw29)
Investigative Details:
On Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 1102 hours, Deputy Neils and I (Wilson) arrived at Santa Rita Jail
where we met with Deputy Reid. Deputy Reid directed us to Heisner's cell. I saw Heisner lying on the
floor outside of his cell. He was face up, dressed in jail issued pants, underwear, shoes and socks.
Medical therapy was in place and there was a ligature mark around his neck. Heisner was warm to the
touch and flaccid. Lividity was consistant with his lying on the floor.
Deputy Reid said about 0430 hours that day, Heisner was awake for breakfast.
About 073 0 hours, Deputy Reid did a pod check at the start of his shift and saw nothing amiss.
About 0837 hours, inmates were out of their cells for pod time when an inmate saw Heisner hanging in
his cell.
About 0837 hours, the inmate aletted Sheriffs Technician McAdams who contacted Deputy Reid about
Heisner's hanging.
Deputy Reid told me he had a video of Heisner hanging. The video was from Deputy Reid's body worn
camera. The video was taken from Deputy Reid's point of view.

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Alameda County Sheriffs Office
Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner
Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct.,
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 382-3000 I (510) 382-3033 (fax)

About 0838 hours, Deputy Reid ran to Heisner's cell. The ceII door appeared to be ajar. Deputy Reid
opened the cell door and Heisner was hanging by his neck with both of his feet on the floor. Heisner's
legs were bent and his knees were about a foot above the floor. Heisner was facing the bunk beds with
his head tilted back. Deputy Reid grabbed Heisner and tried to lift him. Deputy Reid managed to untie
the sheet around Heisner's neck and lowered him to the floor. Deputy Reid instructed the Sheriff's staff
to "Call the nurses" on his hand radio and he started chest compressions to try to resuscitate Heisner.
Deputy Reid appeared to move with urgency and efficiency. The video also showed the Alameda County
Fire Department arriving and doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and ultimately pronouncing Heisner
dead at 0915 hours. Deputy Reid said Captain J. Merrick of the fire department did the pronouncement.
Deputy Neils took several scene photos and photos ofHeisner's body. Deputy Reid searched Heisner's
cell and recovered miscellaneous papers. There were multiple food items and toiletries in the cell.
Deputy Reid told me there was a letter of suicidal intent in the cell and he gave it to me.
. Deputy Neils and I placed Heisner on the Coroner's gurney and made the removal
During the course of my investigation, Deputy Reid told me Heisner and his
.

Before leaving the jail, Deputy Neils and I went to the watch commander's office and met Lt. Johnson.
He released Heisner's property to me and made sure I got Heisner's medical records and movement
history. The movement history indicated Heisner was assigned to Housing 7, pod C, cell 5 on 10/19/16,
at 0627 hours, as his initial assignment. On 10/19/16, at 1044 hours, Heisner was moved to pod E, cell 5
as a new booked inmate and he remained there until his death.
Deputy Neils and I returned to the Coroner's Bureau and processed Heisner into the morgue. Deputy
Neils took intake photos and we placed Heisner into refrigeration.
On October 31, 2016, Dr. Rogers listed Asphyxiation Due to Hanging as Heisner's cause of death.
(dlw29)

Findings:
On Monday, October 31, 2016, I (Wilson) reviewed this case in order to determine a manner of Heisner's
death. Heisner hanged himself and left a hand written letter of suicidal intent to various relatives and
friends indicating his intentions. This case has been determined a suicide. (dlw29)
Supervisor Review:
On Tuesday, February 14, 2017, I (Sgt. R. Macintire) reviewed this case and found it to be complete. I
concurred with the findings and approved this case for closure. (RM #1632)

 Alameda County Sheriff's Office
Coroner's Bureau
2901 Peralta Oaks Court, 2 nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94605-5319

Gregory]. Ahern, Sheriff
Director of Emergency Services
Coroner - Marshal

ME MO R A N D U M

DATE:

October 31, 2016

FROM:

Thomas Wayne Rogers, M.D.

TO:

Case File 2016-03231

SUBJECT:

AUTOPSY PROTOCOL

Autopsy performed upon the body of Barry C. Heisner Jr. at the
Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Court~ Oakland, California,
on October 31, 2016, at 9:25 a.m.
AUTOPSY FINDINGS
1)

ASPHYXIATION:
A) FLUIDITY OF BLOOD
B) PULMONARY CONGESTION AND EDEMA
C) VISCERAL ORGAN CONGESTION.

2)

HANGING:
A) FURROW ABOUT NECK
B) NOOSE PRESENTED WITH BODY.

CAUSE OF DEATH:
cc:

ASPHYXIATION DUE TO HANGING.

EMS
District Attorney
Investigation Bureau
Tina Moore-Walker, Detention and Corrections Division

 Page 2
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

Body of BARRY C. HEISNER JR.

1

2

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

The body is that of a white male appearing the stated age

3

of 44 years.

4

the left ankle.

5

pounds.

6

7
8
9

There is a Coroner's identification tag present on
The body is 68 inches long and weighs 160

The body is presented in a supine position.

The body is

partially clothed.
, Paper bags cover the distal aspect of both arms.

The body is clothed in orange slip-on shoes, a pair of gray

10

socks, off-yellow pants with an elastic waist, and orange

11

underpants also with an elastic waist.

12

are hiked down below the external genitalia.

13

genitalia are visible.

14
15

16

Rigor mortis is fully developed.

The pants and underpants
The external

Lividity is present over

the backside of the body.
There is the following evidence of MEDICAL THERAPY:

17

1)

An intraosseous infusion device on left lower leg.

18

2)

Cardiac monitoring pads on both lower legs and both

19

upper arms .

20

3)

Electrical conduction pads on the torso.

21

4)

An oral Combitube secured around the neck.

22

 '

,r

I

Page 3
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

Body of BARRY C. HEISNER JR.

Presented with the body is a noose.

23

This is composed of

24

pieces of blue material possibly that of a sheet.

It is

25

approximately 10-12 feet in length.

26

to knots along its course.

27

this is a brown towel that has been tied around the blue sheet.

28

Also tied about the sheet is a single gray sock.

It has approximately four

Present roughly in the midportion of

Present about the neck is an ill-defined furrow mostly red-

29
30

purple in color.

This appears to vary in width upwards to .2 or

31

3 inches.

32

direction on the right and left sides of the neck.

33

appears to be a highpoint of this furrow just below the right

34

ear.

35

right side of the neck is a linear area of white discoloration

36

of the skin about 3 inches in length.

37

of white discoloration of the skin is present on the frontside

38

of the neck and extends over onto the left lateral side of the

39

neck for a distance of about 4 inches.

40

this furrow is nonremarkable.

41

in size and shape, to the previously described noose.

Both sides of the furrow course in a superior
There

Present along the inferior border of the furrow on the

A similar appearing area

The skin surrounding

The furrow corresponds, roughly

 Page 4
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

Body of BARRY C. HEISNER JR.

42

There are the following BLUNT INJURIES to the body:

43

RIGHT ARM:

44
45

1)

A 1 inch red-brown abrasion on the lateral proximal

upper arm.

46

2)

A 1 inch red-brown abrasion on the lateral elbow.

47

3)

Two brown abrasions on posterior-distal upper arm each

48

are about 1/2 inch.

49

LEFT ARM:

50

1)

A 1 inch red-brown abrasion on posterior-medial elbow.

51

2)

A 1 inch green-red contusion on posterior upper arm

52

53

inferior to the midportion.
RIGHT LEG:

54

1)

A 1 inch red-brown abrasion on the tibial tubercle.

55

2)

A 1/4 inch red contusion on the patella.

56
57
58

59
60

61
62

LEFT LEG:
1)

~

1-1/4 inch red contusion over the medial border of

the patella.
2)

A 1/2 inch red contusion on the anterior-medial

proximal lower leg.
3)

A 1/2 inch red contusion just above tibial tubercle.

There are no other blunt injuries noted to the body.

 Page 5
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

63

Body of BARRY C. HEISNER JR.

The hair is dark brown and about 1 inch long.

64

round.

65

petechial hemorrhages are noted.

66

the left eye is some red discoloration of the skin and each is

67

about 1/2 inch in greatest dimension.

68

dermatological condition.

69

blunt injuries cannot be excluded.

70

normal.

71

Irides are brown.

Pupils are

Sclerae are nonremarkable.

Just below the right eye and

This may represent a

The possibility of them representing
Ears, nose and lips are

The neck is without further abnormalities.

The chest is flat.

72

male.

73

nonremarkable.

Breasts are consistent with an adult

The abdomen is flat.

The external genitalia are

74

Legs and feet are without further abnormalities.

75

Arms and hands are without further abnormalities.

76

are present over the anterior wrists.

77

closely clipped and intact.

78

No

No scars

The fingernails are

The back is nonremarkable.

79

INTERNAL EXAMINATION

80

The body is opened through the usual Y-SHAPED INCISION.

81

BODY CAVITIES:

The pleural cavities, pericardial cavity

82

and peritoneal cavity are lined by smooth, glistening surfaces

83

and contain no fluid.

Ribs and diaphragms are intact.

 Page 6
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

84

HEART:

Body of BARRY C. HEISNER JR.

In situ, the heart is normal, with the apex at the

85

left midclavicular line.

86

fluidity of blood.

87

glistening.

88

normal.

89

present.

90

degeneration of the mitral valve is present.

91

present on valve leaflets.

92

coronary system has its usual anatomical distribution and is

93

nonremarkable.

94

blood.

95
96
97
98

99

The heart weighs 400 grams, with

The epicardial surface is smooth and

Ventricular myocardium is brown.

Valves are normal.

Chambers are

No left ventricular hypertrophy is

No asymmetric hypertrophy is present.

VESSELS:

No myxoid

No vegetations are

Coronary ostia are patent.

No thrombi are present.

The

There is fluidity of

The aorta and tributaries are nonremarkable.

The

pulmonary artery and venous system contain no thromboemboli.
TRACHEA AND BRONCHI:

Lined by pale yellow mucosal

surfaces.
LUNGS:

The left lung weighs 900 grams.

The right lung

100

weighs 750 grams.

Pleural surfaces are smooth.

Lung parenchyma

101

is prominently congested and edematous.

102

consolidation.

103

asthma is identified.

104

No tumors are present.

105

opened, and no thrornboernboli or other abnormalities are

There are no areas of

No pulmonary infarcts are present.

No bronchial

Airways of both lungs are nonremarkable.
The arterial system of both lungs is

 Page 7
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

106

Body of BARRY C. HEISNER JR.

identified.

107

ORAL CAVITY:

108

missing or loose.

109

noted.

110

ESOPHAGUS:

111

STOMACH:

112

INTESTINES:

113
114

The teeth are natural.

No abnormalities of the oral cavity are

Lined by a white, wrinkled mucosal surface.
Contains no stomach cont~nts.
Covered by smooth serosal surfaces.

LIVER:

Weighs 2000 grams.

The serosal surface is smooth.

The anterior margin is sharp.

116

prominently congested.

117

metamorphosis or cirrhosis is present.
GALLBLADDER:

The parenchyma is brown and

No tumors are present.

Its

Its wall is of normal thickness.

It is

surface is smooth.

120

lined by a green velvety mucosal surface.

121

amounts of bile and no stones.
PANCREAS:

is yellow-brown and lobulated.

124

saponification is noted.

126

SPLEEN:
and smooth.

It contains scant

The pancreas is of normal size.

123

125

No fatty

The gallbladder is of normal size..

119

122

No

abnormalities are noted.

115

118

None are acutely

Its parenchyma

No tumors are present.

The spleen weighs 160 grams.

No

Its capsule is gray

Its parenchyma is red-purple and soft.

 ', \ • '

Page 8
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

127

Body of BARRY C. HEISNER JR.

ADRENAL GLANDS:

The adrenals are normal in size and have

128

their usual triangular shape.

129

remarkable cortex and medullary parts.

130

present.

131

KIDNEYS:

Sectioning of them reveals nonNo hemorrhages are

The left kidney weighs 150 grams.

132

kidney weighs 200 grams.

133

brown and prominently congested.

134

medullary separation.

135

pelves of both kidneys are nonremarkable.

136

abnormalities are noted of the ureters.

137

BLADDER:

139

No diverticula are noted.

141

The calyces and
No obvious

No stones are present.

The bladder contains no urine.

tan mucosal su.rface.

PROSTATE:

Parenchyma is

There is a distinct cortico-

Papillae are normal.

138

140

Surfaces are smooth.

The right

It is lined by a

No trabeculation or tumors are present.

The prostate is of normal size.

is yellow-white and rubbery.

142

TESTICLES:

143

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM:

144

NECK:

Its parenchyma

No tumors are noted.

Normal.
No abnormalities noted.

The hyoid bone and laryngeal structures are intact.

145

Soft tissue about the larynx is normal.

The larynx is free of

146

obstructing material.

147

remarkable.

148

it reveals a nonremarkable red-brown parenchyma.

The cervical vertebral column is non-

The thyroid gland is of normal size.

Sectioning of

 Page 9
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

149

Body of BARRY C. HEISNER JR.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM:

Soft tissue about the cranial

150

vault is normal.

151

sulci of the cerebral hemispheres are normal.

152

brain reveals no abnormalities.

153

ventricular system of the brain is nonremarkable.

154

or subarachnoid hemorrhages are present.

155

base of the brain are nonremarkable.

156

the inner table of the skull reveals no abnormalities.·

157

The brain weighs 1350 grams.

The gyri and
Sectioning of the

No contusions are noted.

The

No subdural

The vessels at the

Stripping the dura from

SPECIMENS:

158

1) Heart's blood

159

2)

Leg blood

160

3)

Liver

161

4)

Tissue

162

5)

Photographs

163
164
165
166
167
168

I

TWR/jkm

M.D.

 LVI

CENTRAL VALLEY
TOXICOLOGY, INC.
TOXICOLOGY NUMBER: CVT-l 6- 11155

Case Name:
Heisner,

Barry
7 ml femoral blood labeled "Heisner Jr, Barry; 2016-03231; 10/31/2016"

Specimen Description:
Delivered by

Tricor

Date

02-Nov-16

Received by

Bill Posey

Request: Complete Drug Screen

Agency Case# 2016-03231

Requesting Agency
Alameda Co. Coroner's Office
Attn: Acct's Payable
2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., 2nd Floor
Oakland CA 94605

Report To
Alameda Co. Coroner's Office
Attn: Dr. Rogers
2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., 2nd Floor
Oakland CA 94605

Specimen: Femoral Blood Sample

Date ll-Nov-16

RESULTS

Complete Drug Screen: No common acidic, neutral or basic drugs detected.
No Ethyl Alcohol detected.

B.L. POSEY
S.N. KIMBLE

1~~

Directors

1580 Tollhouse Road

Clovis, California 93611

N7v::i,er 08, 2016

Phone (559) 323-9940
Fax (559) 323-7502