The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO — A former Department of Homeland Security official’s death two years ago that generated right-wing conspiracy theories was ruled a suicide Wednesday by a Northern California sheriff-coroner.
Evidence found during the investigation into Philip Haney’s death has now spurred a new investigation into how he obtained “contraband” documents.
Haney, 66, was found dead with a single gunshot wound Feb. 21, 2020, in a park-and-ride lot along a Highway 124 between Plymouth and Ione in a rural area of Amador County, northeast of Stockton. He was a former DHS national security official for 15 years and self-described whistleblower critical of President Barack Obama’s administration.
Haney’s death was controversial enough for the Amador County Sheriff’s Office to bring in FBI crime scene investigators and other analysts to assist.
Investigators found that Haney left a suicide note with a signature that a forensic analysis determined was in his handwriting. The gun used was traced to him.
He also left behind neatly arranged financial documents with instructions on how he wanted his assets distributed, according to investigators. And Haney gave away his potted plants the day before he was found dead.
“After a thorough review of the evidence collected and processed by the Sheriff’s Office and FBI, the Sheriff’s Office has determined the...
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