Police say men threw sand on unconscious woman, killing her

Two homeless men and a SLO resident are accused in the death at the Oceano Dunes

By Leslie Parrilla

Three men are being held on involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of a local homeless woman after they allegedly poured sand over her while she was passed out at the Oceano Dunes, causing asphyxiation.

James Lee Proffer, 52, who is homeless, David Wesley Cartwright, 59, also homeless and Kelly Marvin Johnson, 41, of San Luis Obispo were being held at County Jail on suspicion of killing Patricia Ann Kalbskopf, 53.

The group was at a campsite at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area about 7:30 p. m. Wednesday when Kalbskopf became intoxicated and passed out, according to sheriff’s officials.

The three men, who were also drinking, allegedly piled sand on her, sheriff’s officials said. They later noticed that she did not appear to be breathing and called for help.

An off-duty paramedic camping at the Dunes tried to resuscitate Kalbskopf, sheriff’s spokesman Rob Bryn said. She was taken to Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

An autopsy conducted Thursday determined that the cause of death to be asphyxiation by inhalation of sand, according to sheriff’s officials.

“We have no information that would lead us to believe that there was a specific intent to kill the person. However, the actions taken by the three men ultimately led to her death,” Bryn said. “It is my understanding that they noticed —and I don’t have time frames — that they noticed that she was not breathing and summoned help.”

Investigators did not know how long the woman was covered with sand or how much was piled on top of her. They said death caused by asphyxiation with sand is rare.

Late Friday, Cartwright was being held in jail on a parole hold. Johnson was held on $71,000 bail and Proffer was held on $25,500 bail.

Kalbskopf’s family is from Maryland and could not be reached for comment Friday.