Posted by Will, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jul 2, 2012 at 8:05 pm

> The coroner's office declined to discuss the case with the Almanac.

Why not? Does the government coroner's office make it a practice to not talk to the public? Who do they think they work for?

BTW--did the coroner's office communicate with the family verbally, or in writing?

Posted by musical, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Jul 2, 2012 at 9:50 pm

Maybe the Coroner respects family privacy. More likely they are prohibited by law from discussing an ongoing investigation which may lead to criminal proceedings. Should potential jurors read the report in the Almanac or have it first presented to them in the courtroom as evidence in a murder case? The coroner's office knows their job, and at times it can be gruesome beyond imagination.

Posted by KC, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Jul 3, 2012 at 10:44 am

Looks like the Coroner did speak to the Daily Post. The Post also talked to the widow, who is understandably outraged at the police for deciding the manner of her husband's death is "undetermined."

Posted by Hmmm, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Jul 3, 2012 at 11:46 am

I've had the unfortunate experience of having to talk to the coroner's office re a death. There are privacy laws and guiding principles that they follow in releasing info to the public at various stages of an inquiry.

To the first commenter - "Who do they think they work for?" Really??? Do you think that they work for you? Are you in San Mateo County? They might work for the county, but that doesn't mean taxpayers are their bosses. A comment like that comes across as arrogant and ignorant, even if you didn't intend it that way.

I am so sorry for the loss of Mr. Cronin. These should've been a time that his contributions to his community and family resulted in reaping what he'd sown. This is a family's worst nightmare come true.