The shooting death of Robert Stark Hickey last week in rural Templeton was caused by the accidental discharge of a rifle, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

Hickey's rifle went off as he placed it in a ranch utility vehicle, striking him in the body, said a sheriff's spokesman.

The autopsy of Hickey, 48, was completed Friday and found that he died of a single gunshot wound.

The incident was reported March 6 just after 9 p.m. at Hickey’s home, 2855 Cloudy Meadow Road in Hidden Valley Ranch.

The Sheriff's Office said Hickey was found outside of his home by a family member on the night of the incident.

Someone called 911 just after 9 p.m. to report a person with a gunshot wound at Hickey’s address.

Deputies and medics responded, but Hickey was pronounced dead at the scene.