Body dumped in front of hospital

The Sacramento Bee

By Art Campos

Two sheriff's agencies are investigating a case in which an apparently dead 21-year-old man was dumped in front of an Auburn hospital Tuesday night.

The probe led back to the man's home in Grass Valley, where detectives from Placer and Nevada counties say they discovered nearly 300 grams of suspected cocaine and an undisclosed amount of marijuana.

Authorities are trying to determine whether the two roommates of the deceased man, Joseph Ford, should be charged with any crimes.

"It appears to be an accidental overdose," said Detective Jeff Pettitt of the Nevada County Sheriff's Department. "The roommates said they were trying to render him aid and get him to a medical facility."

Placer County Sheriff's Lt. George Malim said the two men attached an identification note on Ford and deposited him in front of Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital shortly before midnight.

Witnesses saw a dark Suburban driving away, Malim said, and doctors pronounced the victim dead at 11:59 p.m.

Malim said charges may hinge on whether Ford was already dead when he was left at the hospital.

"There may be something about improperly disposing of human remains," he said.