Update by edhat staff
November 18, 2020
It’s now believed Jewel died at Campus Point from a suspected heart attack following an altercation, The Independent reported on Wednesday.
Jewel was walking in the Campus Point area with his wife and their dog last Thursday around 5:15 p.m. when he reportedly got into an altercation with another man. Initial police scanner reports state there was a reported fight in that area.
The Independent stated sources close to Jewel confirmed he died of a heart attack directly on the beach during the confrontation. This has not been confirmed by officials.
Bren School Dean Steven Gaines stated Jewel’s death was tragic and a devastating loss as he was a “gracious soul.”
This is a developing story.
Campus Point Victim Identified as UCSB Employee
By edhat staff
November 17, 2020
Officials have released the name of the man who died at Campus Point on Thursday prompting a widespread search for a possible murder suspect.
The victim was 52-year-old Geoff Jewel who worked as a help desk manager at Bren Hall in UC Santa Barbara’s School for Environmental Science and Management. Jewel worked as a computer network technologist for the university since February 1996.
Around 5:15 p.m. on November 12, edhat scanner reporters heard of a possible fight and then a large police presence at Campus Point which led to a search for a homicide suspect. First responders discovered Jewel on the ground near the bluffs who passed away after life-saving efforts were administered.
UCSB Police sent out several campuswide notifications stating an assault with a deadly weapon had taken place and officers were searching for a white male adult in his early 40s, ashen-brown hair, 3-day growth of beard, medium build, 6ft tall, wearing a dark blue hoodie, blue jeans, carrying a brown guitar.
At 8:30 p.m., UCSB Police stated the suspect had been detained and there was no longer a threat to the community. That suspect, now described as a person of interest, was released shortly after being detained and is currently not facing any charges.
An autopsy was completed on Monday but details have yet to be released. The investigation is ongoing with Jewel’s death labeled as suspicious.
Anyone who has any information about the incident is urged to contact UCSB Police at 805-893-3446.
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Stop with the speculating and useless comments. Find something else to post.
Sounds like we’ll all have to wait to hear what really happened here, and the longer it takes for officials to say something more skeptical we’ll be of their statement?
because he/ she turned out to NOT be the person they were looking for…. just a person of interest.
Nor is the continual rumors and speculations. Disrespectful and disgusting. You people really need to get a life and learn some compassion.