The name of the man whose death last week at UCSB‘s Campus Point has been deemed “suspicious” was released Monday evening by the UCSB Police Department.
An autopsy was completed Monday on Geoff Jewel, a 52-year-old staff member at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, according to Lt. David Millard.
Jewel worked as a help desk manager in computing services, according to the Bren School’s website.
Jewel was found unconscious at about 5:15 p.m. last Thursday near the Campus Point bluffs by UCSB police officers responding to a report of a fight.
Despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead at the scene.
Jewel, who reportedly was walking in the area with his wife and dog, passed away following an altercation with another man that apparently centered on the canine.
On Thursday night, a “person of interest” was detained and questioned in the case, reportedly after turning himself in at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
However, that man, who has not been identified by authorities, was later released.
Sources have told Noozhawk that the death stemmed from a dispute between a man on the beach and Jewel, who may have been pushed over the cliff.
Police have not confirmed that scenario, however, and other sources have suggested that there could be another explanation for why and how Jewel died.
“UCPD will continue working closely with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office and Santa Barbara County Sheriff/Coroner in this suspicious death,” Millard said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
District Attorney Joyce Dudley, who attended the autopsy conducted by the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Bureau, told Noozhawk Monday evening she could not provide any details about the results.
She did say that there has been no arrest, and no one is custody.
Dudley traveled to Campus Point on Sunday to examine the scene, with the assistance of a UCSB Police sergeant.
Steven D. Gaines, dean of the Bren School, shared the following statement with Noozhawk Monday night;
“Geoff’s tragic death is a devastating loss to all of us who had the joy of working with him for over a decade at the Bren School. He was a gracious soul who was a key member of our computing team.
“He was also an enthusiastic naturalist who was active in so many efforts in Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands to promote the conservation of native species. Geoff’s tragic death is a devastating loss, and we will miss him immensely.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact UCSB Police at 805.893.3446.
— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.