Home » Santa Clarita News » Crime » UPDATE: Victim From Possible Suicide In Newhall ID’d
Homicide detectives are investigating a dead body found on Remsen Street near Sierra Highway, in Newhall. Photo by Mauricio La Plante/KHTS Radio

UPDATE: Victim From Possible Suicide In Newhall ID’d

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s officials identified Theodore Chavalas, 55, of Sylmar as the victim of a possible suicide off Sierra Highway and Ramsen Street, in Newhall, Thursday morning.


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The case is being “investigated as a suicide,” said Nani Cholakians, an investigator with the Coroner’s Office.

The call came in as a gun shot wound for a male near the 22000 block of Remsen Street.

Sheriff’s Homicide detectives investigated a dead body reported at Sierra Highway and Remsen street, officials said.

The dead body was reported to officials around 4:50 a.m. The initial call per fire officials was a suspected suicide.

The call came out as a possible rescue situation, according to Sheriff’s Station officials. However, deputies responding on scene were able to determine the person was deceased.

Homicide was immediately called to the scene, and is investigating the nature of the incident, according to station officials.

Medical and fire personnel initially were called to the scene at 4:51 a.m., on scene at 4:59 a.m. and then were cancelled at 5:05 a.m., fire officials said.

Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can click here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:

  • 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  • 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
  • 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center
  • 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center
  • 661-257-9688 for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project
  • 661-263-9371 for Straightening Reins, equine therapy

**Mauricio La Plante contributed to this report.


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UPDATE: Victim From Possible Suicide In Newhall ID’d

4 comments

  1. How sad. I saw this man laying on the ground, face up, when I drove by this morning at about 6:30. I thought he was just resting; it appeared that someone placed a pillow under his head (looked like a white pillow or cloth). There were 3 police cars and officers. No coroner. I just thought he was in distress or injured, possibly awaiting an ambulance.

    • I also saw this gentleman on my way to work. I have been quite shaken all day thinking someone’s person was in distress or deceased. totally heartbreaking. prayers for his family.

  2. I knew this man and he was a quality individual of high moral value with a great regard and love for his fellow human being. He was a tremendously talented inventor and a wonderful and generous friend. He will be missed by his beloved family, his friends and the many who worked with him.

  3. All that Chris Franco said above was so true about what I remember about Ted, I was lucky enough to get to know him in 9th grade in Lafayette, Ca. and to have him as a friend. We were picked on by the cool guys/jocks daily. probably something that still continued in some other fashion to him. He was a great person then and sounds like he was able to stay that way. Why do we lose the good people around us, why don’t the Aholes leave this earth instead, it would be a much better place.

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About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.