Autopsy results on Morro Bay shark victim to take weeks, Sheriff’s Office says
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said that the results of an autopsy related to the victim of a fatal shark attack in Morro Bay on Dec. 24 will take weeks to complete.
Tomas Butterfield, 42, of Sacramento, was killed by a shark off the coast of Morro Strand State Beach while boogie-boarding on Christmas Eve morning, according to officials. The attack occurred in an area known as “The Pit,” where Morro Creek seasonally runs into the ocean.
Authorities have released little information about the incident, such as the nature of the bite marks and any estimates on the size or age of the shark.
Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla told The Tribune that death investigations “generally include submissions of specimens for toxicology,” which typically four to six weeks to return.
“Upon receipt of toxicology, our pathologist reviews those results and factors that information with autopsy findings, resulting in the final cause(s) of death reported on the decedent’s death certificate,” Cipolla said in an email. “Absent additional investigative needs, most cases are concluded in approximately eight to 10 weeks from time of death.”
Cipolla said that preliminary results were “not releasable.”
“The Coroner’s Office waits until they have the totality of information before releasing the final report,” he said.
State Parks also has been involved in the investigation into the incident, coordinating with the Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.
Asked if State Parks would release additional information before the autopsy is complete, a representative said the agency is waiting for the autopsy results to provide updates on the incident.
“Since the department is still waiting for the autopsy and toxicology results, there are no new updates to provide,” said State Parks Information Officer Jorge Moreno. “Will keep you posted when information is available.”
The incident has left some surfers, swimmers and boogie boarders wary about returning to the ocean, though some have been willing to get back in the water in Morro Bay and elsewhere in the county.
This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 9:00 AM.
CORRECTION: Clarification: This story has been updated with the a quote from the State Parks information officer.
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