Transient’s Death Is Ruled a Homicide
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VENTURA — A transient who was found dead in April next to the railroad tracks in midtown Ventura was the victim of a homicide and not an accident as police originally believed, authorities said Wednesday.
Joseph Michael Strickland, 44, died from multiple blows to the head, police said. It was first thought he died trying to jump on or off a passing train, police said.
Other factors also led detectives to believe Strickland was slain, including the position of his body and its proximity to the railroad tracks, police said.
Strickland was found at the south end of Kalorama Street by a passerby shortly before 6 a.m. April 25, police said. He had been seen walking east in the 2000 block on Thompson Boulevard the previous afternoon.
Anyone who saw Strickland after 4 p.m. April 24 or who knows any of his friends is asked to call police at 339-4467.
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