Port Angeles man’s death not due to foul play, police say

PORT ANGELES — The circumstances behind the death of a 29-year-old Port Angeles man whose body was found Monday on the floor of his tiny trailer remained a mystery Friday.

But preliminary indications are, as the investigation continues, that foul play was not involved in the demise of Ryan Andrew Mongar, Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith said Friday.

The signs include no “obvious indications” that Mongar was beaten, a possibility floated by some in the Peabody Creek RV Park area where Mongar lived, Smith said.

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“We have not discovered any signs of trauma,” Smith said. “That would include information from the autopsy.

“There is no obvious indication of a criminal act or a crime.”

Detectives have interviewed about a half-dozen people, including Mongar’s sister, Smith said.

An autopsy was conducted Thursday.

A detective attended the autopsy, the results of which were not available Friday.

“We have yet to find any evidence of foul play,” Smith said.

Smith said police are still waiting for toxicology results from a blood sample taken from Mongar and Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney-Coroner Mark Nichols’ determination of the manner and cause of Mongar’s death.

Classifications of manner of death are natural, accident, suicide, homicide, undetermined and pending, Nichols said Friday in an email.

Cause of death indicates the medical circumstances involved, such as disease or injuries.

Smith said he did not know if Mongar had any medical conditions.

Someone who was worried that Mongar had not been seen for a few days checked on him at about 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The person found him lying dead on the floor 2 feet inside the entrance to his “very small trailer,” Smith said.

As to what Mongar’s state of mind was before his death and what he was doing, “those are questions that are going be asked and be probed,” Smith added.

“The important thing is for people to come forward with more information or things that they think is important.

“There may be things that come up that officers will revisit.”

Anyone with information that would be helpful with the investigation should call the Police Department at 360-452-4545.

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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.

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