By Patric Hedlund

Frazier Park musician Garrett Sean Farn, 41 died at 1:02 p.m. February 20 at Kern Medical Center from complications of bacterial meningitis, according to his parents. This was independently confirmed with a physician who attended him. According to Jack and Rosemary Farn of Stuart, Florida, the physician also reported that their son was not under the influence of drugs when he came into the hospital’s care.

Farn was tasered and taken into custody Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Koko’s Motel in Frazier Park at about 8:30 p.m. Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Young (who has about five years in service, according to a KCSD spokesperson) was the first to respond. Deputy Fred Skidmore provided backup.

Deputies were called when Farn was found confused and combative, wandering outside his motel room in near-freezing weather. He was nude. He had damaged the contents of his own room and his behavior led to a 911 call from the motel.

Farn was taken to the hospital by deputies after he was handcuffed and had kicked out the rear window of a sheriff’s vehicle. The sheriff’s report said he waged a further physical struggle upon arrival at the hospital before physicians admitted him to the intensive care unit.

"It was very upsetting to us that they treated him that way," Rosemary Farn said, "He thought he just had some flu and his head hurt…."

Extremely elevated body temperatures are associated with meningitis. Left unattended, inflammation of the brain lining and central nervous system can result in disorientation, hallucinations and bizarre behavior.

"He was not on drugs. They gave him a toxicology test and they said there was nothing," his mother told The Mountain Enterprise.

Farn’s body was sent to his parents in Florida. They said doctors called to warn them that their son’s body was "covered with bruises" from the physical struggles. A Mass was said for him on Wednesday, February 27. Locally, a Mass is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday, March 2 at Our Lady of the Snows in Lake of the Woods (see obituary).

Friends rallied rapidly to assist Farn’s parents and to balance the media record.

Television and print reports were based on an initial sheriff’s press release. The Mountain Enterprise updated its website (www. MountainEnterprise.com) several times to provide new information after speaking with Farn’s parents and friends.

Carol Berg, Kae Marley and Graham Mitchell spoke of Farn’s musical talent and their friendships. Others spoke of past troubled relationships.

Berg provided a happy photo of Farn with a friend and a serene image for his obituary. "…Please know that Garrett was not a drug user," she wrote in an email. Scott Klosterman examined the note found at the motel, which read, in part: "No evil of the Devil’s simple human need, Ain’t no mystic tragic fatal forces be found. Ain’t no fiery torches w/souls screamin w/out sound."

Klosterman analyzed the rhythmic syllable structure of the sentences.

"This was obviously lyrics to a song he was writing. Look at the structure," he said. "I think it is wonderful to think that even on death’s doorstep he would choose to write," Klosterman said

Jack Farn, Garrett’s father, said he had sent a check to Koko’s Motel for the $1,000 in damages and thanked his son’s friends for their kindness.

This is part of the February 29, 2008 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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