The slow, painful, pointless death of Nicholaus Contreraz, age 16, at the Arizona Boys Ranch
As described in the sheriff's report, Pinal County, Arizona, April 17, 1998.
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Pinal County Sheriff's Office
Offense Report
Date: 4/17/98
Officer Dispatched: 466 PHILIP W LEBLANC
Officer assigned: 277 EDWARD P SCHWEITZER
INCIDENT/OFFENSE
DEATH INVESTIGATION: UNDETERMINED CAUSES
INCIDENT DASE: 03-02-98
TIME: 18:18
ARREST MADE? NO
WEAPONS/THREATS USED? NO
LOCATION: ORA ORACLE (DIST #9)
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT? NO
SITE ADDRESS: 036895 S MT BEMMON HWY
JUVENILE INVOLVED? YES
PROPERTY LOST/DESTROYED/STOLEN? NO
VICTIMS/COMPLAINANTS
PERSON NUMBER: 000101021 CONTRERAZ NICHOLAS
DATE OF BIRTH: 01-15-82
SEX: M MALE
ADDRESS: AZ BOYS RANCH
INJURY: YES
EMPLOYER: AZ BOYS RANCH
ADDRESS:36895 S. MTN. LEMON HWY, ORACLE, AZ
NUMBER OF PERSONS ARRESTED: 00
COMMENTS/NARRATIVES
COMMENT DATE: 03-02-98
BY: 466 PHILIP W LEBLANC
WRITTEN BY: DEPUTY TRAVIS 610
ENTERED BY: 819
ATTACHMENTS: WITNESS STATEMENT (GEOFFREY
SEAN LEWIS)
ON MARCH 2, 1998 AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 HOURS, I WAS DISPATCHED TO 36895 S. MOUNT LEMON HIGHWAY, BOYS RANCH, IN REFERENCE TO A 16 YEAR OLD SUBJECT WHO HAD STOPPED BREATHING AND HAD NO PULSE. DISPATCH ADVISED THAT THE BOYS RANCH EMPLOYEES WERE ALREADY CONDUCTING CARDIOPULMONARY RESUCITATION ON THE SUBJECT.
UPON MY ARRIVAL AT APPROXIMATELY 1818 HOURS, I OBSERVED CPL. LEBLANC, BADGE #466 AND RURAL METRO ALONG WITH A FEW OF THE BOYS RANCH EMPLOYEES CONDUCTING CARDIOPULMONARY RESUCITATION ON A RESIDENT OF THE BOYS RANCH, LAYING IN A SUPINE POSITION. I SPOKE TO ONE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS STANDING THERE WHO IDENIFIED HIMSELF AS MONTGOMERY HOOVER. MR. HOOVER IDENTIFIED THE RESIDENT AS THAT OF NICHOLAS CONTRERAZ, DOB/01-15-82.
AT THIS TIME MY SUPERVISOR CPL. LEBLANC, BADGE 466, ADVISED ME TO GO SET UP A LANDING ZONE FOR THE AIR E VAC. AIR E VAC ARRIVED ON SCENE AT APPROXIMATELY 1829 HOURS. CARDIOPULMONARY RESUCITATION WAS PERFORMED UNTIL AIR E VAC WAS OFF THE GROUND AT APPROXIMATELY 1855 HOURS.
I THEN AGAIN SPOKE WITH MONTGOMERY HOOVER AND HE STATED ONLY HE AND GEOFFREY SEAN LEWIS, DOB/8-2-74, WITNESSED NICHOLAS COLLAPSE. I WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A STATEMENT OF WITNESS FROM MONTGOMERY HOOVER DUE, TO THE FACT THAT HE LEFT IN A BOYS RANCH VEHICLE TO NORTHWEST HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AIR EVAC.
I THEN SPOKE WITH THE OTHER STAFF MEMBER WHO MR. HOOVER INDICATED WAS THE ONLY OTHER PERSON AROUND WITH NICHOLAS. HE IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS GEOFFREY SEAN LEWIS. DOB/8-2-74. MR. LEWIS STATED, NICK CONTRERAZ WAS PERFORMING PHYSICAL TRAINING (PUSH-UPS) IN THE AMPHITHEATRE. MR. LEWIS INDICATED DUE TO NICK'S LACK OF EFFORT AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, HE WAS BEING PHYSICALLY ASSISTED. MR. LEWIS STATED IT HAD BEEN FORTY MINUTES SINCE THE LAST HYDRATION. SO THE STAFF TOOK NICK TO GET WATER FROM HIS CANTEEN. MR. LEWIS STATED WHEN STAFF WAS GIVING NICHOLAS WATER HE DID NOT RESPOND. MR. LEWIS STATED HE HAD BEEN PLAYING LIKE HE WAS PASSING OUT SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY. MR. LEWIS STATED THE STAFF CHECKED NICHOLAS' PULSE AND BREATHING AND FOUND NOTHING. MR. LEWIS AND STAFF IMMEDIATELY ADMINISTERED CPR AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. MR. LEWIS STATED CPR CONTINUED UNTIL NICHOLAS WAS TAKEN WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TEAM.
CASE STATUS: TURNED OVER TO DETECTIVES
980300044A ATTACHMENTS: NONE
WRITTEN BY: CPL. PHILIP LEBLANC 466
ENTERED BY: 819
ON MONDAY, 03-02-98, AT A30UT 1759 HOURS, I WAS DISPATCHED TO THE ARIZONA B0YS RANCH IN REFERENCE TO A 16 YEAR OLD B0Y THAT WAS NOT BREATHING. THEY STATED THAT C.P.R. HAD BEEN STARTED AND THEY HAD BEEN DOING C.P.R. FOR AB0UT 6 MINUTES.
I ARRIVED AT AB0UT 1811 HOURS AND FOUND A MALE SUBJECT THAT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND CPR WAS BEING PERFORMED ON HIM; TOOK OVER DOING THE BREATHING PORTION OF C.P.R..
THE RURAL METRO AMBULANCE GOT ON SCENE AT ABOUT 1817 HOURS AND DEPUTY COTE. BADGE #610, ARRIVED AT ABOUT 1817 HOURS. I ASKED DEPUTY COTE TO SET UP A LANDING ZONE.
I HEARD A STAFF MEMBER OF THE B0YS RANCH TELL A PARAMEDIC THAT THE MALE SUBJECT, LATER IDENTIFIED AS A MR. NICHOLAS CONTRERAZ, HAD BEEN DOING PHYSICAL TRAINING (P.T.) AND HAD STOPPED BREATHING. THEY THOUGHT THAT HE WAS FAKING AND BROUGHT HIM TO OUR PRESENT LOCATION AND SPLASHED HIM WITH WATER. MR. CONTRERAZ DID NOT RESPOND SO THEY CHECKED HIM FOR A PULSE AND FOUND NONE. THEY THEN BEGAN C.P.R.. I NOTICED THAT MR. CORTRERAZ WAS WET AND THAT HE HAD VOMIT NEXT TO HIS HEAD. I ASKED ABOUT THE VOMIT AND THEY SAID THAT IT CAME UP WHEN THEY WERE DOING C.P.R.
AT ABOUT 1855 HOURS, AIR E VAC HELICOPTER LEFT FOR NORTHWEST HOSPITAL, IN TUCSON WITH MR. CONTRERAZ.
AT ABOUT 1915 HOURS, I CONTACTED THE STAFF DUTY OFFICER LT. MARTINEZ, BADGE #49, TO LET HIM KNOW WHAT HAD OCCURRED. LT. MARTINEZ TOLD ME THAT HE DID NOT NEED TO SEND OUT A DETECTIVE SINCE IT DID NOT S0UND LIKE THERE WAS ANY FOUL PLAY.
AT AB0UT 2017 HOURS, THE CHARGING NURSE SUE, FROM NORTHWEST HOSPITAL CONTACTED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT MR. CONTRERAZ HAD DIED AND THERE WAS SIGNS OF ABUSE ON THE BODY. I ASKED WHAT THESE WERE AND SHE SAID HE HAD ABRASIONS FROM HEAD TO TOE. HE HAD BRUISING ON HIS FLANKS, HE HAD A RIGID STOMACH AND HE HAD BLOOD IN HIS STOMACH.
I THEN RECONTACTED LT. MARTINEZ AT ABOUT 2018 HOURS, AND HE ADVISED TO GO AHEAD AND CONTACT THE HOMICIDE DETECTIVE ON CALL. AT A30UT 2027 HOURS, I CONTACTED DETECTIVE E. SCHWEITZER, BADGE 277, AND NOTIFIED HIM OF THIS CASE. DET. SCHWEISZER ADVISED HE WOULD BE ON HIS WAY TO THE HOSPITAL.
AT AB0UT 2235 HOURS, I MET DET SCHHEITZER AT NORTHWEST HOSPITAL WHERE I TURNED OVER SOME REPORTS OF OUR FINDINGS AND I ASSISTED HIM WITH THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS FORM. THE CASE WAS TURNED OVER TO DET. SCHWEITZER AND CLEARED THE HOSPITAL AT ABOUT 2340 HOURS.
AT ABOUT 0030 HOURS, I TELEEPHONED THE BOYS RANCH AND WAS INFORMED THAT MR. CONTRERAZ'S FAMILY WAS NOTIFIED OF HIS DEATH AS ABOUT 2330 HOURS OUR TIME, BY A MS. VIRGIE AVILA. MS. AVILA IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE BOYS RANCH.
ASK STATUS: TURNED OVER TO DETECTIVE
9803000443 030298 SUPPLEMENT
WRITTEN BY: E. SCHWEITZER #277
ENTERED BY: 372
ON MONDAY, 03-02-98, AT ABOUT 2030 HOURS I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL AT MY RESIDENCE FROM CORPORAL P. LEBLANC 466. LEBLANC ADVISED ME OF THE DEATH OF A 16 YEAR OLD BOY (NICHOLAUS CONTRERAZ. DOB: 01-15-82) FROM THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH OUTSIDE OF ORACLE, ARIZONA. LEBLANC FURTHER ADVISED ME THAT THE BOY HAD BEEN DOING SOME TYPE OF PHYSICAL TRAINING WHEN HE STOPPED BREATHING. LEBLANC STATED SHAT AT ABOUT 1800 HOURS HE WAS DISPATCHED TO THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN REFERENCE TO A BOY THAT WAS NOT BREATHING. UPON HIS ARRIVAL, HE FOUND THAT THE VICTIM WAS BEING ADMINISTERED CPR BY CAMP PERSONNEL. LEBLANC ASSISTED WITH THE CPR UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF RURAL METRO AMBULANCE.
UPON SHE ARRIVAL OF DEPUTY COTE #610, A LANDING ZONE WAS SET UP FOR LIFELINE AIR FLIGHT TO TRANSPORT THE VICTIM TO NORTHWEST HOSPITAL IN TUCSON, WHERE THE VICTIM WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 1930 HOURS BY DR. NANINNI. AT ABOUT 2017 HOURS CORPORAL LEBLANC RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE CHARGE NURSE AT NORTHWEST HOSPITAL, WHO AVISED LEBLANC THAT CONTRERAZ HAD EXPIRED. LEBLANC WAS FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE VICTIM HAD A LOT OF ABRASIONS AND BRUISING ON HIM AND THAT HE HAD A RIGID STOMACH AND BLOOD IN THE STOMACH. I ADVISED LEBLANC TO MEET ME AT NORTHWEST HOSPITAL. I ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL AT ABOUT 2234 HOURS AND MET WITH LEBLANC. WE WERE TAKEN TO EXAM ROOM #3, WHERE THE VICTIM HAD BEEN PLACED AFTER BEING PRONOUNCED.
AT 2240 HOURS LEBLANC AND I VIEWED THE VICTIM, WHO WAS COVERED BY A BLANKET. I PULLED THE BLANKET BACK TO THE VICTIM'S GROIN AREA AND FOUND THE VICTIM LAYING ON HIS BACK. THERE WAS A MEDICAL TUBE IN HIS NOSE AND ONE IN HIS MOUTH. THERE WERE TWO SMALL MEDICAL LEAD PADS ON HIS UPPER CHEST AREA AND ONE LARGER DEFIBRILLATOR-PACER PAD ON THE CENTER OF HIS CHEST AND TWO MEDICAL LEAD PADS ON HIS LEFT SIDE. I CHECKED BOTH OF THE VICTIM'S HANDS AND SAW NO SIGNS OF ABRASIONS OR BRUISING ON THEM.
ON THE VICTIM'S RIGHT WAIST AREA AND HIP AREA I NOTICED THREE ABRASIONS THAT APPEARED TO BE IN AN EARLY STAGE OF HEALING. THERE WAS BRUISING ON THE CENTER CHEST AREA THAT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY 30 TO 40 MINUTES OF CPR BEING ADMINISTERED ON THE VICTIM. I NOTICED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SAND OR DIRT IN THE VICTIM'S OUTER EARS.
I TOOK SEVEN POLAROID PICTURE OF THE VICTIM'S UPPER BODY AND ONE POLAROID PICTURE OF THE SEAL I PLACED ON THE BODY BAG. CORPORAL LEBLANC COMPLETED THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT. I SPOKE TO DOUG SCOOPMIRE (VIA THE TELEPHONE) OF THE PIMA COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AUTOPSY TO BE PERFORMED AT HIS OFFICE. I OBTAINED THE HOSPITAL RECORDS AND THEN CLEARED THE HOSPITAL AT APPROXIMATELY 0340 HOURS.
AT ABOUT 0040 HOURS CORPORAL LEBLANC CONTACTED ME VIA RADIO TO ADVISE ME THAT VIRGIE AVILA OF THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH HAD CONTACTED THE VICTIM'S MOTHER AND ADVISED HER OF THE DEATH OF HER SON AT ABOUT 1330 HOURS.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUED
90300044C 030298
WRITTEN BY: E. SCHWEITZER 3277
SUPPLEMENT ENTERED BY: 372
ON TUESDAY. 03-03-98, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM WAYNE WALLACE AND BERTHA WINFIELD OF ARIZ DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY. THEY REQUESTED TO BE ADVISED OF THE INVESTIGATION'S RESULTS WHEN THEY CAN BE ADVISED 1602-542-2287) I ALSO SPOKE TO PETER DE LA RAMBELIE, PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE BOYS RANCH (602-896-9391). I ADVISED HIM THAT I WOULD TRY TO BE THERE SOMETIME AFTER NOON.
I RECEIVED A CALL FROM PROBATION OFFICER DON BERG OF THE SACRAMENTO JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICE BERG WAS CONTRERAZ'S PROBATION OFFICER AND WANTED TO ADVISE ME THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH CONTRERAZ ON MONDAY, 03-02-98, BY PHONE AT ABOUT 1300 HOURS. BERG FURTHER ADVISED ME THAT HE WOULD BE FLYING INTO ARIZ0NA ON TUESDAY TO CONDUCT HIS OWN INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT. (OFFICE PHONE 916-875-0332/CELLULAR PHONE 916-591-0448)
AT ABOUT 1338 HOURS I ARRIVED AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE, ARIZONA. I MET WITH PETER DE LA RAMBELIE, BOB THOMAS (PRESIDENT/CEO OF THE ARI20NA BOYS RANCH - 602-987-9700) AND KAJA-ANNE JEZYCKI (GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH - 602-987-9700, EXT. 226).
I ASKED PETER DE LA RAMBELIE IF HE COULD GIVE ME A BREAK DOWN OF A NORMAL MONDAY FOR CONTRERAZ SO THAT I WOULD HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATION. HE SAID THAT CONTRERAZ HAD BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS AND WAS STILL IN THE ORIENTATION STAGE. HE LIVED IN BARRACKS #31, ALONG WITH ABOUT 25 OTHER JUVENILES AND THREE STAFF MEMBERS. TWO OF THE STAFF MEMBERS WOULD SLEEP, WHILE THE THIRD WOULD STAY AWAKE. DURING THE SIX WEEK PERIOD. CONTRERAZ HAS BEEN THERE, HE HAD BEEN TREATED BY THE ON-DUTY NURSE FOR THE FLU AND HIS BREATHING, WHICH WAS CAUSING HIM TO HYPERVENTILATE. THEY HAD HIM BREATHE INTO A PAPER BAG TO CONTROL THE HYPERVENTILATION.
CONTRERAZ WOULD GET UP BETWEEN 0630 AND 0700 HOURS AND GET READY FOR THE DAY. BETWEEN 0730 AND 0800 HOURS THEY WOULD EAT BREAKFAST. AFTER BREAKFAST AB0UT 60 PERCENT OF THE GROUP WOULD GO TO CLASS AND THE REST WOULD GO ON A WORK DETAIL AND BRING A BAG LUNCH. THE WORK DETAIL CONSISTED OF CLEANING UP THE AREA IN AND AROUND THE CAMP, WORKING ON THE ROADS IN THE AREA OR PERFORMING WORK FOR AREA HOME OWNERS. THEY WOULD RETURN TO THE RANCH AT AB0UT 1530 HOURS, AT WHICH TIME THEY WOULD HAVE PHYSICAL TRAINING AND THEN THEY WOULD GET READY FOR DINNER.
WE THEN WALKED AROUND THE FACILITY TO THE AREA OF THE AMPHITHEATER THE AMPHITHEATER PAST A SET OF CEMENT SEATS THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE SEAT AREA IS A SAND BASE. APPROXIMATELY 20 T0 25 FEET FROM THE AMPHITHEATER IS THE AREA WHERE THE VICTIM WAS ADMINISTERED CPR. I NOTICED THAT THE GROUND WAS PACKED SOIL WITH SOME ROCKS THE SIZE OF MARBLES TO HALF THE SIZE OF A FIST ABOVE THE SOIL SURFACE. WE THEN WENT TO BARRACK #31, WHERE CONTRERAZ LIVED AND WAS TAKEN TO SHOWER. DURING THE WALK, PETER DE LA RAMBELIE POINTED OUT THE CHAPEL, DINING HALL AND OTHER BUILDINGS AND A SMALL BRIDGE THAT CONTRERAZ WAS CARRIED OVER TO GET HIM TO HIS BARRACKS.
THE SCENE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF A SMALL CANYON WITH A SMALL BROOK RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE PROPERTY. THERE ARE MANY LARGE TREES ON THE PROPERTY AND OTHER NATIVE BRUSH. THE BARRACKS, DINING HALL, CHAPEL, MAIN OFFICE BUILDING AND OTHER BUILDINGS ARE SET ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SMALL BROOK WITH SEVERAL WOODEN BRIDGES CONNECTING THE TWO SIDES.
AT ABOUT 1635 HOURS I TOOK A TAPED STATEMENT FROM STAFF MEMBER MONTGOMERY CLAYTON HOOVER, DB: 05-17-68. PRESENT DURING THE STATEMENT WAS KAJA-ANNE JEZYCKI. (NOTE: THE STATEMENT ENDED AT ABOUT 1708 HOURS WITH THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES NOT BEING RECORDED BECAUSE I DID NOT NOTICE THE RECORDER HAD STOPPED. JEZYCKI ALSO RECORDED THE STATEMENT AND ADVISED ME THAT SHE WOULD GIVE ME THE ENDING I MISSED.)
ON 03-04-98 AT APPROXIMATELY 1600 HOURS I RECEIVED A CALL FROM IDENTIFICATION TECHNICIAN S. WATTS #372, AND WAS VIEWING THE AUTOPSY OF NICHOLAUS CONTRERAZ. WATTS ADVISED THAT DR. PARKS FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF PUS IN THE VICTIM'S LEFT CHEST CAVITY WHICH INDICATED A MASSIVE INFECTION. SHE ALSO ADVISED THAT DR. PARKS FOUND NO TRAUMA ON THE VICTIM'S BODY WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE VICTIM'S DEATH AND THE RESULTS OF THE AUTOPSY WOULD PENDING FURTHER MICROSCOPIC AND TOXICOLOGIC EXAMINATION.
ON THURSDAY, 03-05-98, DETECTIVES S. GUILLIAMS #196, B. ALSTON #46, IDENTIFICATION TECHNICIAN BRANNON #614, DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY JANNA VANDERPOOL AND I WENT TO THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE. UPON ARRIVAL AT ABOUT 1330 HOURS WE HAD STAFF MEMBER HOOVER WALK EVERYONE THROUGH THE EVENTS OF THE DAY OF MONDAY, 03-02-98, STARTING WITH HIS FIRST CONTACT WITH CONTRERAZ AT ABOUT 1430 HOURS. THIS WAS DONE SO IDENTIFICATION TECHNICIAN BRANNON COULD TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AREA IN WHICH THE DIFFERENT EVENTS TOOK PLACE AND SO THE INVESTIGATORS COULD HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT PEOPLE WERE TELLING THEM DURING THE FORTHCOMING INTERVIEWS.
ON FRIDAY. 03-06-98, AT A30UT 1000 HOURS DETECTIVES S GUILLIAMS AND B. ALSTON #46 AND I WERE IN THE OFFICE OF DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY JANNA VANDERPOOL WHEN SHE PLACED A CALL TO DR. PARKS OF THE PIMA COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE. DR. PARKS ADVISED US AT THIS TIME THAT CONTRERAZ HAD A STAPH INFECTION INSIDE OF HIS LEFT LUNG AND THE PUS FOUND INSIDE THE LEFT CHEST CAVITY WAS A STREP INFECTION. PARKS FURTHER ADVISED US THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL US MORE AFTER THE LAB WORK WAS COMPLETED
UPON ARRIVAL AT THE B0YS RANCH ON THIS DATE I ADVISED PETER DE LA RAMBELIE OF THE DOCTOR'S FINDINGS. I TOLD HIM HE NEEDED TO ADVISE STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAD CONTACT WITH CONTRERAZ DURING CPR AND THOSE WHO WERE BITTEN BY CONTRERAZ TO BE EXAMINED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL.
DON BERG, SENIOR DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICER, AND I THEN HAD A SHORT MEETING WITH THE PROBATION OFFICERS FROM ALL THE OTHER COUNTIES AND STATES THAT HAD ARRIVED AT THE BOYS.RANCH, DUE TO THE DEATH OF CONTRERAS. I ADVISED THEM THAT WE WERE CONDUCTING A JOINT INVESTIGATION WITH SACRAMENTO COUNTY AND AS OF THIS TIME IN THE INVESTIGATION WE HAD FOUND NO CRIMINAL ACTION ON THE PART OF THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH. I ALSO ADVISED THAT MR. BERG WOULD BE HANDLING ANY PART OF THE INVESTIGATION AS TO IMPROPER ACTION BY STAFF MEMBERS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH.
LATER ON FRIDAY I MADE CONTACT WITH CORPORAL LEBLANC AND ADVISED HIM AB0UT THE INFECTIONS THAT CONTRERAZ HAD. I ADVISED HIM TO CHECK WITH MEDICAL PERSONNEL FOR HIS SAFETY.
Ongoing Investigation
980300044: 03/02/98 SUPPLEMENT
DEATH INVESTIGATION
WRITTEN BY: ID TECH BRANNON #614
ENTERED 9Y:L.P. BRANNON #614
ON 3-5-98 I WAS DISPATCHED TO 36895 SOUTH MOUNT LEMON ROAD, SOUTH OF ORACLE, THE ARIZONA BOY'S RANCH, W ASSIST DETECTIVE SCNWEITZER IN A DEATH INVESTIGATION.
I ARRIVED AT THE ARIZONA BOY'S RANCH 03/05/98 AT APPROXIMATELY 1300 HOURS AND WAS MET BY DETECTIVES SCHWEITZER, ALSTON, GUILLIAMS AND DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY VANDERPOOL. WE MET WITH SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES AND BRIEFED IN A CONFERENCE ROOM. AFTER THE BRIEFING, I WAS DIRECTED TO PHOTOGRAPH AREAS OF INTEREST, AS DIRECTED BY DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY VANDERPOOL AND DETECTIVE SCHWEITZER. (SEE PHOTO LOG ATTACHMENT)
AFTER COMPLETING THE PHOTOGRAPHY I CLEARED THE ARIZONA BOY'S RANCH 03/05/98 AT 1713 HOURS. I DID NOT COLLECT ANY PHYSICAL OR TRACE EVIDENCE ON THIS SCENE, I DID COLLECT A BROCHURE OF THE ARIZONA BOY'S RANCH, TO PROVIDE A BLOW UP OF THE RANCH, FOR LATER REFERENCES.
Ongoing Investigation
980300044 03-06-98
WRITTEN BY: B. ALSTON, #46, DETECTIVE
SUPPLEMENT
ATTACHMENTS: NONE
ENTERED BY: #46
ON 3-5-98, I MET WITH DETECTIVE SCHWEITZER #277 AND DETECTIVE GUILLIAMS #196 AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE.
ON 03-05-98 AT APPROXIMATELY 1605 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH DR. GINGER RUTZ. DR. RUTZ ADVISED SHE HAD TWO CONTACTS WITH NICHOLAUS CONTRERAZ DURING HIS STAY AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH. THE FIRST CONTACT WAS ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 8, 1998, AT WHICH TIME DR. RUTZ GAVE MR. CONTRERAZ A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. THE SECOND CONTACT WAS ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 8, 1998, AT WHICH TIME DR. RUTZ PRESCRIBED TWO INHALERS FOR MR. CONTRERAZ. FOR MORE DETAILS, REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-05-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1613 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH THE NURSE, LINDA BABB. MS. BABB ADVISED SHE SAW MR. CONTRERAZ ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST AND ON MONDAY, MARCH 2ND. DURING ALL THREE VISITS, MR. CONTRERAZ COMPLAINED OF HURTING ALL OVER. AND WAS HYPERVENTILATING. MS. BABB FILLED OUT REPORTS OF EACH INCIDENT, WHICH WERE IN MR. CONTRERAZ'S FILE. MS. BABB CHECKED MR. CONTRERAZ'S BREATHING AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL. ON 03-06-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1230 HOURS, I INTERVIEWED MS. BABB AGAIN. MS. BABB STATED SHE CHECKED MR. CONTRERAZ'S BREATHING AND DESCRIBED USING A STETHOSCOPE ON MR. CONTRERAZ'S CHEST AND BACK UNDER HIS CLOTHING AND HIS BREATHING WAS NORMAL. SHE ALSO STATED SHE HAD CONTRERAZ STRIP DOWN TO HIS UNDERCLOTHING AND SHE NOTED SEVERAL ABRASIONS ON HIS BODY. FOR MORE DETAILS, REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-05-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1815 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH MR. PETER MURPHY AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE. PRESENT DURING THE INTERVIEW WAS MR. MURPHY, JONN WEIJMER OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY AND ME. MR. MURPHY DESCRIBED THE EVENTS OF SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1998 AND MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1998, PRIOR TO MR. CONTRERAZ'S DEATH. FOR MORE DETAILS, REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-05-98, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH MR. GEOFFREY SEAN LEWIS, AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE. MR. LEWIS ADVISED OF HIS CONTACTS WITH MR. CONTRERAZ PRIOR TO HIS DEATH. MR. LEWIS ALSO DESCRIBED THE STOMACH THRUSTS HE GAVE MR. CONTRERAZ DURING C.P.R. FOR MORE DETAILS, REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-06-98. AT APPROXIMATELY 1255 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITN MR. TROY MICHAEL JONES OF THE ARIZONA B0YS RANCH IN ORACLE. MR. JONES DESCRIBED THE EVENTS ON MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1998, CONCERNING M.R. CONTRERAZ. FOR MORE DETAILS, REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW. MR. JONES CONTACTED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 HOURS AT THE YELLOW HOUSE. AT THE ARIZONA BOY'S RANCH MR. JONES FORGOT TO MENTION DURING TNE TAPED INTERVIEW THAT HE ACCOMPANIED MR. CONTRERAZ TO MAKE A TELEPHONE CALL TO HIS PROBATION OFFICER AND THEN ESCORTED MR. CONTRERAZ BACR TO THE GROUP.
ON 03-06-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1345 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH RESIDENT ..., AGE 16, AT THE YELLOW HOUSE. AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE. PRESENT DURING THE INTERVIEW WAS ... AND ME. ... DESCRIBED SEEING MR. CONTRERAZ IN THE BARRACKS AND WITNESSED STAFF ASSISTING MR.CONTRERAZ DURING PHYSICAL TRAINING. FOR MORE DETAILS, REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-06-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1430 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH ..., AGE 16. THIS INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED AT THE YELLOW HOUSE. AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE AND PRESENT DURING THE INTERVIEW WAS ... AND ME. ... SAID HE REALLY DID NOT KNOW MR. CONTRERAZ THAT WELL BUT HE KNEW HE WAS ASSISTED BY THE STAFF MORE THAN ONCE. ... SAID HE DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT MR. CONTRERAZ AND DID NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT HIM. FOR MORE DETAILS, REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-06-98. AT APPROXIMATELY 1510 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH ..., AGE 16. THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED AT THE YELLOW HOUSE. AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE AND ... AND I WERE THE ONLY ONES PRESENT DURING THE INTERVIEW. ... DESCRIBED SEEING MR. CONTRERAZ BEING ASSISTED BY THE STAFF ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. ... DESCRIBED MR. CONTRERAZ AS LOSING WEIGHT AND LOOKING SICK. FOR MORE DETAILS, REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-06-98, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH MR. ..., AGE 15. AT THE YELLOW HOUSE. AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH. PRESENT DURING THE INTERVIEW WAS ... MR. DON BERG OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY AND ME. ... DESCRIBED EVENTS STARTING WITH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1998, THROUGH MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1998. ... ARRIVED AT THE ARIZONA BOY'S RANCH ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1998. ... DESCRIBES THE STAFF "MAKING FUN" OF MR. CONTRERAZ AND ASSISTING MR. CONTRERAZ DURING PHYSICAL TRAINING. ... ALSO DESCRIBES SEEING MR. CONTRERAZ EATING HIS FOOD SITTING ON THE TOILET ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1998. FOR MORE DETAILS; REFER TO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ASK STATUS: INVESTIGATION CONTINUED
03-12-98
WRITTEN BY: B. ALSSON, #46, DETECTIVE
SUPPLEMENT ENTERED BY: #46
ON 03-09-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1450 HOURS, DET. SCHWEITZER AND I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH LINDA BABB, R.N. AT THE ARIZONA BOYS' RANCH IN ORACLE. MS. BABB STATED AFTER THINKING ABOUT HER CONTACT WITH MR. CONTRERAZ SHE IS NOT SURE IF SHE CHECKED MR. CONTRERAZ'S BREATHING WITH A STETHOSCOPE. MS. BABB ESTIMATED MR. CONSRERAZ WAS IN HER OFFICE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1998 AND STAFF, WILKES AND MORENO WERE ALSO PRESENT. NURSE BABB ACKNOWLEDGED SHE SAW MR. CONTRERAZS' BQDY AT THE HOSPITAL AND SAW THE MARKS ON HIS BODY, MS. BABB ADVISED MR. PETER OF THE MARKS SHE SAW AND DENIED TALKING TO ANYONE ELSE ABOUT THE MARKS. FOR MORE DETAILS LISTEN TO AUDIO TAPE.
ON 03-09-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1525 HOURS, DET. SCHWEITZER AND I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH MR. CORNEL MARTIN WILKES AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE. MR. WILKES RECALLS HIS CONTACTS WITH MR. CONTRERAZ ON MARCH 1ST AND 2ND, 1998. MR. WILKES ALSO RECALLS SEEING MARKS ON MR. CONTRERAZ AND CALLING NURSE BABBB IN FROM HER DAY OFF SO SHE COULD DOCUMENT THE MARKS. MR. CONTRERAZ ADVISED MR. WILKES HE RECEIVED THE MARKS FROM BEING PHYSICALLY ASSISTED BY STAFF ON SATURDAY. MR CONTRERAZ DID NOT ADVISE MR. WILKES WHO THE STAFF WAS THAT ASSISTED HIM AND MR. WILKES DID NOT ASK MR. CONTRERAZ FOR THE NAME OF THE STAFF WHO ASSISTED HIM ON SATURDAY. ON MARCH 1, 1998, MR. CONTRERAZ ALSO COMPLAINED OF NOT FEELING WELL. MR. WILKES CALLED THE NURSE IN TO DOCUMENT THE MARKS ON MR. CONTRERAZ. MR. WILKES WAS ALSO PRESENT DURING THE EXAMINATION OF MR. CONTRERAZ BY NURSE BABB ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1998. MR. WILKES OBSERVED NURSE BABB ASK MR. CONTRERAZ TO TOUCH HIS TOES, SQUEEZED BOTH HANDS AND LISTENED TO HIS BREATHING WITH A STETHOSCOPE TO MR. CONTRERAZ CHEST AND BACK UNDER HIS CLOTHING. MR. WILKES HEARED MR. CONTRERAZ ADVISE NURSE BABB THAT HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS BREATHING AND NURSE BABB STATED HE NEEDED TO GAIN CONTROL OF HIS BREATHING. AT THIS TIME, MR. CONTRERAZ REQUESTED FORTY-EIGHT HOURS OF RESTRICTION FROM ANY PHYSICAL TRAINING AND ADVISED HE THOUGHT WITH REST HE COULD "PUT OUT". MR. WILKES RECOMMENDED TWELVE HOURS SLEEP AND ADVISED STAFF MORENO TO ESCORT THE RESIDENT TO THE BARRACKS AND PUT HIM IN HIS RACK. MR. WILKES ADVISED MR. RODRIGUEZ, ANOTHER STAFF SUPERVISOR THAT MR. CONTRERAZ WAS ON TWELVE HOURS BEDREST AND OBSERVED MR. CONTRERAZ GETTING INTO HIS RACK. THE OTHER RESIDENTS WERE GETTING READY FOR BED AT THIS TIME.
MR. WILKES SAW MR. CONTRERAZ AT THE VOLLEYBALL AREA WITH STAFF HOOVER. MR. WILKES DESCRIBED CONTRERAZ BEING GIVEN A DRINK OF WATER FROM AN "EIGHT OUNCE STYROFOAM CUP" AND THE WATER "RUNNING" DOWN MR. CONTRERAZ'S CHIN AND THE FRONT OF HIS YELLOW SHIRT. MR. WILKES DESCRIBED MR. CONTRERAZ'S BREATHING AS FAST SHORT GASPS OF AIR. AT THE TIME MR. WILKES OBSERVED THIS, HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE PANTRY FOR DINNER. MR. CONTRERAZ ASKED PERMISSION TO SPEAK TO MR. WILKES, HOWEVER MR. WILKES DIDN'T ALLOW MR. CONTRERAZ TO SPEAK TO HIM AND CONTINUED TO THE PANTRY. MR. WILKES WAS IN THE PANTRY WHEN STAFF ADVISED MR. CONTRERAZ "FAINTED" AND MR. WILKES OBSERVED STAFF HOOVER AND LEWIS PERFORMING C.P.R. ON MR. CONTRERAZ. FOR MORE DETAILS LISTEN TO AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-09-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1725 HOURS, DET. SCHWEITZER AND I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH WORK SPECIALIST MICHAEL M. MORENO AT THE ARIZONA BOYS' RANCH IN ORACLE. MR. MORENO RECALLED HIS CONTACTS WITH MR. CONTRERAZ ON 03-01-98 AND 03-02-98. MR. MORENO WAS ASKED BY MR. WILKES TO ASSIST HIM IN TAKING MR. CONTRERAZ TO SEE THE NURSE ON 03-01-98.- MR. MORENO DESCRIBED CONTRERAZS' BREATHING AS HYPERVENTILATING, BREATHING THROUGH HIS MOUTH AND WALKING A SLOW PACE. MR. MORENO HEARD MR. WILKES TELL NURSE BABB THAT MR. CONTRERAZ WAS HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING. NURSE BABB HAD MR. CONTRERAZ TAKE OFF HIS SHIRT AND MR. MORENO OBSERVED MARKS ON CONTRERAZ'S ARMPITS AND FACE. MR. MORENO WAS NOT SURE IF NURSE BABB LISTENED TO MR. CONTRERAZ'S BREATHING WITH A STETHOSCOPE. MR. MORENO HEARD CONTRERAZ TELL THE NURSE HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS BREATHING AND THE NURSE REPLIED "IT'S IN YOUR HEAD" OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT, BECAUSE "WE WORKED ON YOUR BREATHING BEFORE. I SEEN YOU ON FRIDAY." AT THIS TIME, MR. CONTRERAZ ASKED FOR TWO DAYS. RESTRICTION FROM ANY PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND THE NURSE STATED MR. CONTRERAZ SEEMED TO BE HEALTHY. MR. WILKES SUGGESTED A GOOD NIGHT'S REST AND ADVISED HE COULD SLEEP FOR TWELVE HOURS, SEVEN P.M. TO SEVEN A.M. MR. MORENO WALKED CONTRERAZ BACK TO THE BARRACKS SLOWLY BECAUSE IT WAS DARK. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE BARRACKS, THE OTHER RESIDENTS WERE GETTING READY FOR BED AND MR. MORENO ANNOUNCED CONTRERAZ WAS TO GET TWELVE HOURS BEDREST.
THE NEXT CONSACT MR. MORENO HAD WITH MR. CONTRERAZ WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 1730 HOURS AT THE AMPHITHEATRE WITH STAFF JONES, HOOVER AND LEWIS. MR. MORENO OBSERVED MR. CONTRERAZ DOING PUSH UPS WITH FEET ON STAIRS AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO MR. JONES. MR. MORENO ADVISED HE HEARD CONTRERAZ STATE "I DID MY CRYING" BUT COULD NOT HEAR THE CONVERSATION. MR. MORENO WENT TO THE EDUCATION BUILDING AND THEN TO THE PANTRY AND IT WAS AT THE PANTRY WHEN STAFF CLERK TOLD WILKES THAT SOMETHING HAPPENED. MR. MORENO WENT DOWN AND SAW STAFF PERFORMING C.P.R. ON MR. CONTRERAZ. FOR MORE DETAILS LISTEN TO AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-09-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1845 HOURS, DET SCHWEITZER AND I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN SUAREZ AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE. MR. SUAREZ'S FIRST CONTACT WITH MR. CONTRERAZ WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY. MR. SUAREZ DESCRIBED MR. CONTRERAZ AS "ALWAYS SLOW, SICKLY, COLD-LIKE SYMPTOMS, COUGHING AND HAVING BREATRING PROBLEMS." MR. SUAREZ WAS STAFF IN CHARGE OF BAY AREA A, BARRACKS 31 ON 03-01-98. MR. SUAREZ DID NOT REMEMBER ANYONE TELLING HIM THAT CONTRERAZ WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE TWELVE HOURS SLEEP. MR. SUAREZ HAD NO KNOWLEDGE IF MR. CONTRERAZ HAD TWELVE HOURS SLEEP ON 03-01-98 AND DID NOT RECALL SEEING STAFF MORENO COMING INTO BARRACKS 31 ON THE EVENING OF 03-01-98. MR. SUAREZ DESCRIBED MR. CONTRERAZ AS LOOKING SICK, BUT CLEARED BY THE NURSE SO HE THOUGHT MR. CONTRERAZ WAS BEING "MANIPULATING" BY NOT WALKING. MR. SUAREZ DESCRIBED MR. CONTRERAZ AS SLOW MOVING AND HAVING "SAD EYES." FOR MORE DETAILS LISTEN TO AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-10-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1125 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH GARY E. TAYLOR, STAFF OF THE ARIZONA BOYS' RANCH IN ORACLE. ALSO PRESENT DURING THE INTERVIEW WAS MR. JOHN WEIMER OF SACRAMENTO JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. MR. TAYLOR HAD CONTACTS WITH MR. CONTRERAZ ON ONE DAY ONLY, 03-01-98. MR. TAYLOR OBSERVED MR. CONTRERAZ HAVING PROBLEMS WITH DRY HEAVES. DURING P.T. AND HAVING BREATHING PROBLEMS AND SALIVA BUILD UP ON THE CORNER OF HIS MOUTH. MR. TAYLOR DENIED SEEING STAFF EVER ASSIST MR. CONTRERAZ AND SAW HIM IN A WHEELBARROW GOING TO CHAPEL AND WITH A TRASH CAN ON SUNDAY, 03-01-98. MR. TAYLOR ADVISED RESIDENTS GO TO BED BETWEEN SEVEN AND EIGHT P.M. DEPENDING ON THE STAFF AND IT WOULD NOT BE UNUSUAL IF STAFF KEPT THE RESIDENTS UP LATER DOING P.T. OR EXTRA CHORES. FOR MORE DETAILS LISTEN TO AUDIO TAPED INSERVIEW.
ON 03-10-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1230 HOURS, I CONDUCTED AN AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW WITH MR. MANNY RODRIQUEZ AT THE ARIZONA BOYS RANCH IN ORACLE. ALSO PRESENT DURING THE INTERVIEW WAS MR. JOHN WEIMER OF SACRAMENTO JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. MR. RODRIQUEZ ADVISED MR. CONTRERAZ STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO MR. CONTRERAZ'S DEATH. MR. CONTRERAZ TOLD MR. RODRIQUEZ WHAT HE WA5 FEELING SICK AND HAD A HARD TIME BREATHING AND DIARRHEA. MR. CONTRERAZ WAS REFERRED TO NURSE BABB ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. MR. RODRIGUEZ NEVER OBSERVED ANY IMPROVEMENTS IN MR. CONTRERAZ AFTER SEEING NURSE BABB AND THOUGHT MR. CONTRERAZ LOOKED LIKE HE WAS LOSING WEIGHT. MR. RODRIGUEZ DESCRIBED HIS CONTACTS WITH MR. CONTRERAZ ON 03-01-98 AND 03-02-98. MR. RODRIGUEZ ESTIMATES MR. CONTRERAZ WAS WAKEN AT APPROXIMATELY 0645 HOURS ON 03-02-98. MR. RODRIGUEZ WITNESSES SEVERAL ASSISTS BY THE STAFF THAT DAY. MR. RODRIGUEZ DESCRIBED MR. CONTRERAZ AS BREATHING HEAVY. MR. RODRIGUEZ ALSO DESCRIBED MR. CONTRERAZ COMPLAINING TO STAFF THAT HIS CHEST HURT AND HE COULDN'T BREATH AND ALSO SAY "IT HURTS TO BREATHE." MR. RODRIGUEZ LAST SEES MR. CONTRERAZ ALIVE BEING ASSISTED WITH ARM RAISES IN THE VOLLEYBALL COURT BY STAFF HOOVER. OTHER STAFF ALSO PRESENT WERE JAN, WILKES AND JONES. FOR MORE DETAILS LISTEN TO AUDIO TAPED INTERVIEW.
ON 03-10-98, AT APPROXIMATELY 1513