Jukka Hellsten Preliminary Report Released

The Kern County Coroner’s preliminary “cause of death” report was released in the case of Jukka Hellsten, 42 on Thursday, Jan. 21. The final report has not yet been issued.

A statement released by Deputy Coroner Regina Mancera said, “After completing a post mortem examination including microscopic and toxicological studies, the cause of death for Jukka Hellsten was determined to be related to a brain bleed due to natural disease and acute drug use, as well as head trauma he sustained from a fall.”

The manner of death is listed as an accident. In this short preliminary release there is no detail as to how the investigators concluded the blow to the head was accidental.

Hellsten’s body was found in Cuddy Creek about 15 yards west of the Monterey Trail bridge in Frazier Park on the morning of November 3, 2009.

About 8:15 p.m. November 2, 2009 a 911 call was made from Decator Trail by two adults who reported they each heard screaming from Cuddy Creek that sounded as if an adult male was in pain. They urgently asked authorities to try to help the individual. A reporter for The Mountain Enterprise heard the dispatch call and went out to the creek to listen. One Kern County Sheriff’s deputy was seen in his vehicle parked beside the creek at about the same time.

Because of the circumstances surrounding Hellsten’s disappearance a week prior to his death, and because of the 911 call, foul play was suspected by family and friends.

Hellsten, an electrician with a business degree, was a Finnish citizen who purchased property and hoped to build a cabin in Lake of the Woods. Initial reports indicate that there may be some additional investigation by Hellsten’s family. The coroner’s final report is expected to be issued shortly.

This is part of the January 29, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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