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Toxicology reports cleared up several outstanding questions regarding a pair of death investigations, and perhaps raised more likely to remain unanswered Tuesday.

Coroner Releases Information On 2 Death Investigations

Toxicology reports cleared up several outstanding questions regarding a pair of death investigations, and perhaps raised more likely to remain unanswered Tuesday, officials said.


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One involved a homeless man who was found dead in the Santa Clara River wash in Canyon Country back in December.

The second was a Canyon Country man who was arrested on a parole violation, after convictions for burglary, possessing stolen property and methamphetamine possession.

Santa Clarita homeless man found in the wash

The coroner officially determined the cause of death of Laszlo Szabo, 64, was an “accidental death due to drowning,” according to Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

Szabo, who was believed to be homeless at the time of his death, was found in the Santa Clara River during a heavy rainfall in December.

“The autopsy will show trauma or any types of defects, especially in the heart or the lungs (that would have contributed to the cause of death),” Corral said, “but there’s nothing noted.”

The  autopsy and subsequent toxicology test didn’t indicate any drugs or alcohol in Szabo’s system.

Deputies received the call regarding a man found face down in the wash near the intersection of Langside and Soledad Canyon Road around 10:50 a.m. on Dec. 12, officials said.

Initially, a helicopter unit was called to the area, where it appeared a rescue might be possible.

County fire officials at the scene canceled medical units because they were able to determine the man was already dead.

Santa Clarita Man dies at Twin Towers Jail

An official with the Coroner’s Office stated the cause of death for Anthony Steven Morejon, 25, of Canyon Country, who died in jail around 9:04 p.m. on Jan. 13, according to coroner’s officials.

“The final mode of death is accidental death due to acute methamphetamine intoxication,” said Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. “Basically, it looks like an overdose.”

A toxicology screen indicated high levels, and a medical investigator with the Coroner’s Office made the determination, he said.

Foul play was not suspected, said Lt. Holly Francisco of the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, who investigated the death.

The death is not considered a homicide, she added.

Morejon, whose occupation was listed as recycler, was arrested Jan. 11on the 17700 block of Sierra Highway by Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies on a drug possession charge, possession of drug paraphernalia charge and a parole violation.

He was in jail for a parole violation, according to officials with the District Attorney’s Office.

Morejon had a November 2008 burglary conviction; a September 2009 hit and run conviction; a December 2009 conviction for possession of stolen property; a December 2010 conviction for a robbery charge; and in December 2013 he was convicted of possessing methamphetamine.

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KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Coroner Releases Information On 2 Death Investigations

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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.