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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 3, 2007 Cops: No I.D. 'til body thaws 'It's going to be a couple of days' By chris conrad Mail Tribune The question on many people's lips Friday: Who was the dead man a construction crew found wrapped in duct tape inside a freezer at a south Medford home? According to police, it might take a few days to find out. The body was frozen solid and needs to thaw before Oregon State Deputy Medical Examiner James Olson can perform an autopsy, Medford police Lt. Tim George said. "It's going to be a couple of days, at least, before the body is considered ready for the autopsy," he said. "He may be in a position to do it this weekend." George added that detectives have a "strong suspicion" the body is that of 77-year-old William Blakely Richardson. The house at 1735 Fiona Lane is listed in Richardson's name. Advertisement "But until we make a positive identification, we'll continue to inquire into Richardson's whereabouts," George added. Police arrested 58-year-old Paul Henry Mahanna — Richardson's roommate — after they were called to the house by RBS Home Restoration workers Wednesday afternoon. The crew was replacing water-damaged drywall in the garage, when one worker opened the chest-style freezer containing the body. The corpse had been wrapped in duct tape, according to the company's owner, Steven Hanlin. The crew was two weeks into the project when it discovered the body. George speculates the body had been in the freezer at least that long. Detectives spoke briefly Wednesday with Mahanna, but since then he has contacted a lawyer and is no longer cooperating with police. "Mr. Mahanna is no longer available to us," George said. He did appear Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court and was indicted on a charge of second-degree abuse of a corpse. He remained lodged in the Jackson County Jail late Friday on $500,000 bail. Police spent Thursday and Friday searching Richardson's home and interviewing neighbors. Six detectives are working various parts of the case, George said. "We are acting with due respect of the victim in this case," he said. "It's something we've put at the top of our priority list." The case has garnered national and international attention, with Web-based reports surfacing everywhere from Seattle to India. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help