By Chelsea Phua and Bill Lindelof
cphua@sacbee.com
Yolo County authorities on Monday evening determined that a 57-year-old man found with a gunshot wound to his head at a ranch north of Woodland had killed himself.
Chief Deputy Coroner Robert LaBrash said investigators initially believed Wayne Henry King's death to be a homicide because no traditional weapons were found at the scene. But they later discovered a makeshift weapon, authorities said.
King's body was discovered Friday on the stairs leading to his mobile home at the Historic Nelson Ranch and Cattle Company along County Road 18C.
About 6 p.m., Yolo County deputies and Woodland firefighters responded to the ranch after a call about a man who was not breathing. King was declared dead at the scene.
Two people had noticed that ranch horses had not been fed that evening and went to find King, whose duties included feeding the horses. They called 911 when they discovered his body.
Brenda Cedarblade, who owns the ranch with her husband, said King came to work for them about five years ago. King had been homeless and living in an abandoned shed in Woodland. Cedarblade's husband, Ted Wilson, offered King a job and a place to live on the ranch on the condition that he stayed clean and sober. Cedarblade said King successfully completed his treatment program and became an integral part of the team at the ranch.
"He kept everything running," Cedarblade said. "Wayne was like family."
King helped established and maintained a community garden program for those with developmental disabilities. The garden's produce was donated at the local food banks, Cedarblade said.
On his own time, King reached out troubled youths from the inner-city areas, bringing them to the ranch to show them the animals and garden, Cedarblade said.
"He's one heck of a great guy," Wilson said.
Bee staff writer Hudson Sangree and Bee researcher Pete Basofin contributed to this report
Call The Bee's Chelsea Phua, (916) 321-1132.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.