By Patric Hedlund

Daniel “Moondog” Wilson, 27 of Frazier Park was declared dead at the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Dec. 4. Overdose on someone else’s prescription methadone is the suspected cause of death. A second man, Houston Foster, about 24, was admitted to the hospital in a coma in the same incident, according to the Santa Clarita Los Angeles County Sheriff’s watch commander.

L.A. County Sheriff’s sources said the two were found unresponsive at about 2:11 p.m. Saturday in the Sienna Villa condos in Valencia. Friends told investigators they were unable to rouse Wilson and Foster. They said the group had taken another individual’s prescription methadone. Emergency personnel from the L.A. County Fire Department tried to resuscitate both men, who were transported to Henry Mayo’s Emergency Unit.

On Tuesday the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office confirmed that it had custody of Wilson’s body, but a “backlog of cases has prevented assignment of a field investigator to complete the investigation,” according to Lieutenant Fred Corral. The next of kin had not yet been officially notified as of Monday night, the coroner said. Facebook entries by Mountain Community friends of Wilson were expressing grief.

The details of his death were being discussed widely in Frazier Park. Sue Nichols wrote on Facebook: “I don’t know whether to be really sad at such a tragic loss or really mad at Moon.”

Brain damage and respiratory failure may result from a methadone overdose. Combining methadone with drugs such as Oxycontin or Vicodin may also lead to a fatal overdose.

“Methadone is what recovering heroin addicts take,” L.A. County watch command Sergeant Allen said, explaining attempts to resuscitate the men: “It was too late for Wilson; he was probably dead for awhile when they found him.”

Allen said homicide detectives may investigate the death after a coroner’s examination.

On Tuesday Houston Foster was able to walk and talk, and was visiting the patio area of the hospital, appearing to be recovering well, according to hospital personnel.

“I can only speculate [that homicide detectives] may look for where the methadone came from, how much they ingested and the circumstances under which they ingested it,” Sgt. Allen said. “If you have methadone in your purse and you go to bed, then people get into [your medicine], they bear the responsibility,” Allen said.

Memorial Set for Daniel Joab Wilson
“Moondog”
On Sunday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m., at 1745 White Rock Road
Daniel Joab Wilson’s family and friends will be gathering to celebrate his life.
Dan graduated Frazier Mountain High School in 2001 and continued his education at
Bakersfield College receiving his AA. He was a mountain resident until four months
ago when he moved to Valencia to be closer to his work.
He is loved and will be missed by many.
Call Marisa Sodaro at 245-2903 for information, directions, questions.
An account has been set up at California Bank and Trust in Frazier Park in Dan’s name for the family.

This is part of the December 10, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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