LBPD Says No Signs Of Foul Play In SSgt. Sean Harvell Drowning Death; Coroner Says Autopsy Awaits Toxicology, May Be Weeks or More Away

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LBPD Says No Signs Of Foul Play In USAF Ret. SSgt. Sean Harvell Drowning Death; Coroner Says Autopsy Awaits Toxicology, May Be Weeks or More Away

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(April 28, 2016, 4:55 p.m.) -- LBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Bradley Johnson tells LBREPORT.com that there were no signs of foul play in the April 26 discovery of Ret. USAF SSgt. Sean Harvell, found deceased in the waters off Alamitos Beach.

LBPD says the matter is now a Coroner's case investigation, and Coroner's office Ass't Chief Ed Winter tells LBREPORT.com (April 28) that an autopsy is pending and is deferred awaiting toxicology results, which may not be received for weeks or more.

Ass't Chief Winter says there are no "holds" placed on release of the autopsy results and they should be public records when completed.

We are mindful that on April 27, SSgt. Harvell's mother, Jane Maher, indicated on Facebook that she was trying to arrange a funeral at the L.A. National Cemetery (Westwood) with a wake to follow at Joe Jost's in LB and a tentative date of Friday May 6.

LBREPORT.com is unclear at this point how the Coroner's schedule may affect the family's arrangements; we'll provide information as it is confirmed.

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In her initial Facebook message, Sgt. Harvell's mother said "it seems to be an accidental drowning in front of the beach apartment he loved so much...It seemed he could do anything and was invincible. He was a great American hero. He served our country for many years."

A decorated USAF combat veteran of the Aghan war (including two Silver Stars), Staff Sgt. Sean Harvell was a LB native who attended Millikan High, had retired from military service and was 33 years old at his passing.

On Aug. 6, 2011, his younger brother Andrew, also a Millikan High alum, was among a helicopter crew (with a team of Navy SEALS) shot down/perished in the worst single loss of U.S. forces in the Afghan war. He was 26.

LBREPORT.com expresses our deepest condolences to SSgt. Harvell's family and friends, and our gratitude to him and to his family for his service.

SSgt Sean Harvell was awarded two Silver Stars (third highest award for valor) for actions detailed at www.sgtmacsbar.com. SSgt. Harvell, who was retired at the time of his death, was featured in a 2014 USAF recruiting video (below):

In another local link, Lt. Cmdr. Jonas Kelsall, the son of the then-Pres/CEO of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, was among the Navy SEALS aboard the downed helicopter who perished in the Aug. 2011 attack.