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Boone Police & Fire Units Respond to Three Unrelated Deaths This Past Week

The Boone Police Department issued three press releases on Friday afternoon regarding Boone Police and Boone Fire departments responding to three unrelated medical emergencies ending in death this past week.


On Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at approximately 11:04 a.m., Boone Police and Fire units responded with Watauga Medics to 165 Robin Lane, Apt. 103, in reference to a male suffering a medical emergency. The medical personnel were not able to find vital signs on the subject, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Boone Police Department investigators responded to the scene and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances of the death.

The decedent, Robert Reed, 58, had extensive medical issues, and after speaking with doctors and the medical examiner, it was determined that the death was of natural causes.


On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Boone Police and Fire units responded with Watauga Medics to 180 Meadow Hill Drive Apt. 203, in reference to a male suffering a medical emergency. The medical personnel were not able to find vital signs on the subject, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Boone Police Department Investigators responded to the scene and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances of the death.

The decedent is Carlton K. Leonard, 73. During this investigation, detectives conferred with Mr. Leonard’s doctors and the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office, it was determined that the death was of natural causes.


On Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, at approximately 10 a.m., Boone Police and Fire units responded with Watauga Medics to 818 E. King Street, Room 209, in reference to a male suffering a medical emergency. The medical personnel were not able to find vital signs on the subject, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Boone Police Department Detectives responded to the scene and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances of the death.

The decedent, Morris Lee Haywood, 55, was transferred to the custody of the medical examiner for an autopsy and toxicological testing. The cause of death remains undetermined pending results of the autopsy and testing. There are no indications that the death is suspicious.