The Herald Bulletin

Evening update

Local News

November 14, 2009

Calif. coroner needs help finding dead man's family

VENTURA, Calif. — A Southern California coroner hopes readers of The Herald Bulletin can help close the book on a dead man whose background includes the Anderson area.

James Baroni, chief deputy medical examiner for Ventura County, sent an e-mail to THB’s editorial offices on Saturday seeking information about relatives of Norman Richard Cook Jr.

According to Baroni, Cook died on Nov. 5, 2009. He was born Dec. 9, 1940, supposedly in Indiana.

Baroni’s investigation has so far revealed:

-- He was born in Indianapolis at St. Vincent Hospital.

-- His father was Norman Richard Cook, born in Indianapolis around 1906.

-- His mother was Florence Brookes Cook, born in Indianapolis around 1913.

-- His father may have graduated from Anderson High School in 1924.

-- His father was a medical student at Indiana University in 1940.

Cook may have had a brother as well as a stepsister.

Records show that Cook was in the U.S. Navy in Southern California and rarely visited Indiana, if ever.

“We are asking that any relatives or friends who may have information about relatives, give us a call,” Baroni said in the e-mail. “Ask for James Baroni or Craig Stevens or Armando Chavez.”

The contact phone number is (805) 641-4400. The Web site for county offices is www.ventura.org.



— The Herald Bulletin

Text Only
Local News
May Staff Photos


Buy and browse more photos from The Herald Bulletin

Photographer’s pick
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Facebook