Body found on Wiltse Ct.
Emergency personnel open a locked gate to gain access to a reported dead body found Friday afternoon in a ditch along a fire access road near Wiltse Court in Placerville. Democrat photo by Pat Dollins
Placerville police officers responded Friday afternoon to reports of a body found in Placerville.
At around 3 p.m., Placerville man Everett Farris entered the Mountain Democrat office on Broadway and told Mountain Democrat publisher Richard Esposito that he discovered the body of a naked male inside of a ditch near Wiltse Court.
Esposito immediately contacted Placerville police, who quickly arrived on the scene.
Crime scene investigators from the sheriff's department also responded.
As of press time, officers could not be reached for comment.
This story will be updated Monday after additional information is made available by law enforcement agencies.
Discussion | 18 comments
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DarrinJanuary 20, 2012 - 5:24 pm
Hey Everett, next time go to the Police. Not the news paper!
kathyJanuary 20, 2012 - 5:29 pm
i guess everett wanted to make sure the paper spelled his name right. (:
barf2010January 21, 2012 - 7:20 am
Something unpleasant and scary seems to be happening on Wiltse and Lumsden Park. Just a few days ago I was driving up the street to find a home that was going to foreclosure sale. I drove as far as Lumsden Park to do a u-turn and observed a group of five or six people who I really wanted to avoid. As I left, one of them yelled a name at me and threw a rock at my truck. I can only guess that he got mad at me as I wouldn't give him a ride as he was pretending to hitch hike. Don't think I would want a home on that road.
guy.............January 21, 2012 - 11:54 am
I goggled 'Wiltse and Lumsden Park' and found this.....http://www.cityofplacerville.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=4637.............Yes, it does seem that something 'unpleasant and scary' seems to be happening there, I'm not sure that I would be interested in buying a foreclosed home in that area.
guy.............January 21, 2012 - 11:55 am
that link should be: http://www.cityofplacerville.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=4637
barf2010January 21, 2012 - 3:56 pm
ouch, worse than I thought. Thx for the gurgle link.
DudeJanuary 21, 2012 - 8:25 pm
While looking at house a few years ago we looked on Wiltse, could be a nice little street. Its too bad that there is a drug rehab house in the neighborhood.
HeidiJanuary 21, 2012 - 10:08 pm
Lumsdem park is frightening and I can't believe that the local law enforcement doesn't do something about it! that could be a wonderful park for Placerville residents to enjoy, but the taxpaying citizens aren't welcome OR safe there. Believe me, I've tried to go there for the duck pond but always find a drunk tank instead.
Barbara RogersJanuary 21, 2012 - 10:50 pm
Tons of homeless in that area, I quit taking my grandkids to Lumsden Park years ago, too scary. The city needs to clean out this area.
CeceJanuary 22, 2012 - 2:54 pm
It's a cute neighborhood, cute park, nice duck pond..... but then when you're walking around you get this super creepy feeling someone is watching you in the bushes! We don't go there anymore. We looked at a beautiful home to buy a couple of months ago but also felt the surrounding neighborhoods were too risky for our family! Isn't this the same neighborhood that a prostitute was also found dead, a couple of years ago?
DeannaJanuary 22, 2012 - 3:47 pm
How about knock on the neighbors door to call 911? I guess the alcohol really does slow reactions to the brain down...GEEZZ
NicoleJanuary 25, 2012 - 11:25 am
This just breaks my heart. The man found was a good friend of mine. RIP- I wish you wouldve known that I was here for you....
LocalJanuary 25, 2012 - 11:52 am
Nicole, glad that you're pointing out the importance of this article; that there is a tragedy here. I'm sorry for your loss. This really isn't about how dangerous that area is. It's about a man who died, most likely, as a result of bad choices. It's too bad Wiltse Rd. and Lumsden park have such a bad name. There are plenty of families with children in that neighborhood living happily. I take my children to the park regularly, and have NEVER had a problem with the homeless. Things really aren't that bad. Try living in Oakland or Los Angeles. The homeless situation is way worse, and the crime one hundred-fold.
HeidiJanuary 26, 2012 - 9:08 am
No way! @local I used to go to that park anyway, having compassion for those who had nowhere to live and considering it a lesson to my kids to not reject human beings in our community based on social class. BUT EVERY TIME we were there, there was an altercation between residents driving up the street and the "gang" of adults who consistently take up all the picnic tables near the stream. The gang of folks sitting near the geese and ducks are carrying brown paper bags and acting intoxicated in public. After numerous altercations, I determined that no, it was an unsafe place to be with my children. Unfortunately, I that park was the only park I could get to in time to take my kids outside for a very short break I have. PS, try living in Oakland is a poor excuse for a rebuttal. Oakland is urban, and the murder capital of out state, and should bear no resemblance to this foothill community. This was a problem LONG before the man lost his life and it may be the only chance to bring light to the problem so that change can happen for the LOCALS.
PublisherJanuary 27, 2012 - 3:05 pm
Everette sought me out because he couldn't get anyone to respond along Wiltse Ct. He's homeless and didn't have any means to contact police and he was hesitant to contact them himself.
LocalJanuary 29, 2012 - 10:50 am
If the childrens play area at Lumsden is so dangerous, and the homeless are such a threat to the community, lets see the complainers DO something about it instead of ranting on this thread! As soon as I feel my children are threatened, I sure as hell will take it to the city and work on steps to making a change. Yes, Wiltse Rd. area has been depreciated due to the increase in homeless, however the city and law officials have turned a blind eye to their residency, for they'd rather have them residing out in the park, instead of wandering around main street turning away tourism. I live on Wiltse Rd, and am raising my children out here. You're right, Placerville bears no resemblance to a city like Oakland, however we still are faced with a community of homeless, and mentally ill individuals, with REALLY not very many community programs to support their problems. The county mental health has taken so many cuts these past few years, it leaves many indiviuals with few options for straightening out their lives. Placerville is a far cry from the drive by shooting, and repeated vandalism that I've experienced when I lived in Los Angeles. For the lowered rent, I'm willing to put up with the alcoholic mountain people walking past my home, as long as they don't pose a threat to my family, and so far in the several years I've lived here, they've been very respectful. Got any solutions? Want to make change? Take it to the city. DO SOMETHING about it;)
LocalJanuary 31, 2012 - 12:54 am
I just read the story on the cleanup. Glad to hear our park is getting a makeover:) I hope the homeless folks can receive the assistance they need during their transition. I know to some it sounds strange, but I'll miss the friendly greets that I get from some of them. One of them even saved my dog from getting hit by a car when she escaped from our yard!
DanApril 14, 2012 - 10:39 pm
It's sad that Lumsden Park has such a bad reputation. The Lumsden family donated the land so every one could enjoy it, not just the derilicts and druggies