Housing exec's death officially ruled a suicide
Reason Yuba County man took his own life remains a mystery
The death of Edward Baker Jr., executive director of the Consolidated Area Housing Authority of Sutter County, was a suicide, a Yuba County sheriff's official said Tuesday.
Baker's family reported him missing March 29. His body was found June 7 in his Chevrolet Suburban in a remote area of the Yuba County foothills.
Melanie Oakes, spokeswoman for the office of Yuba County Sheriff/Coroner Steve Durfor, said asphyxiation — lack of oxygen — was the cause of death.
Baker, 51, was married and had children.
Because of the length of time Baker's body was in the vehicle, toxicology tests on tissues were inconclusive, she said.
According to a coroner's report, a silver dryer vent hose was duct-taped to the exhaust pipe and led to a passenger window. A receipt for the tape and hose were found with the Suburban.
No suicide note was found with the vehicle, Oakes said. The body was found in a vacant lot near the intersection of Cascade Way and Neptune Lane, not far from the Baker family's home, according to Oakes. A Neptune Lane resident found the body.
Raj Samra, the authority's housing services manager who was appointed as interim executive director in April, did not return a phone call for comment Tuesday.
Satwant Takhar, chairman of the authority's board, was unavailable for comment.
Authorities have offered no possible reason for Baker's suicide. There were no known problems at the housing authority, they said.
Soon after Baker's disappearance, Oakes said Baker's wife knew he worked for the authority, but was unaware he was executive director.
Contact Appeal-Democrat re-porter Rob Young at 749-4710 or at ryoung@appealdemocrat.com
