VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California firefighter who went missing and died on a camping trip had drugs and alcohol in his system.
A report from the Ventura County medical examiner indicates that 36-year-old Michael Herdman had used alcohol, caffeine and Ecstasy before he was found on June 27 in a cliff area of the Los Padres National Forest.
The report, released Friday, also says evidence of use of the prescription stimulant Adderall was found at Herdman’s campsite.
The Arcadia firefighter died of blunt force trauma — possibly by falling — about two weeks after he vanished. His death has been ruled accidental.
A fellow firefighter and camper told authorities Herdman disappeared while chasing after his dog, which was later found. Herdman’s body was found after an intense massive search.
