New details are emerging in the death of former McFarland city manager John Wooner, more than half a year after his body was pulled from the Kern River.
23ABC has obtained the official autopsy report from the Kern County Coroner's Office. Wooner was reported missing on May 14, 2019. His body was pulled from the Kern River after his city-issued Dodge Durango was found by a passerby.
According to the autopsy report, Wooner's body was "in advanced stages of decomposition and beyond recognition."
When his body was taken to the coroner's office for a forensic examination, the coroner "attempted to fingerprint (Wooner) but he did not have any ridges on his fingers due to the length of time under water."
Wooner's death was ruled an accident. The coroner's office said drowning and blunt force were the causes of his death.
