UPDATE: The autopsy came in and although findings are consistent with those of an apparent drowning victim, the toxicology results are still pending. No signs of trauma were noted during the examination.
“Mark Ponder’s Dead” was the text I received last night as we were trying to wind down.
Our friend Ricky, who had always been closer to Mark called confused and sad minutes later.
Mark’s body was discovered by a jogger at about 11:30 a.m. near where the Kern river crosses under Manor Street. The coroner thinks he drowned because his body had been in there for 24-72 hours, but anyone who knew Mark and his flamboyant ways knows that Mark would never EVER swim in that dirty river no matter how much trouble he was in. He was just too glam for that. It was a fight gone wrong and past DUIs that made Mark flee the scene.
Sheriff’s deputies had been looking for him since last weekend when a man reported Ponder had thrown a beer bottle at him. If true, that would have constituted assault with a deadly weapon.
Deputies said the supposed attack happened at Ponder’s house in northwest Bakersfield. He was last seen running from the area in a swim suit. The victim was not seriously hurt.
On Monday morning, 17 News received an email from a sender claiming to be Ponder.
”I was threatened in my own home by an uninvited and very intoxicated guest at 3 a.m.,” the email said.
Why would Mark send an email the next day instead of contacting his lawyer? Why would he try and swim across the Kern River when there are plenty of roads to use instead?
Mark was one of the most successful gays in Bako but he tried to keep that part of his life private so it wouldn’t affect his company in Bakersfield, Westchester Realty. Everyone knew him because Mark was one of those agents who turn themselves into a local celebrity by buying billboards in their small town. He had a huge Mansion, expensive Porches, everything but a partner to share his life with, which I know is what Mark wanted most of all.
An autopsy is set for Thursday, and we’ll try and stay on top of the investigation, which police are treating now as ‘suspicious’ but it’s just very…. disorienting.
Mark lived a fast life, and he’s being villanized in the press & message boards for it, but he was one of the first people I met when I moved to California so he always represented a time in my life. You know how you do that with people? They don’t stay with you forever but you always remember the good times, or how naive you were then.
Mark did manage to come for Christmas a year ago and here’s the last pictures I have of him. No matter what… Mark always brought a party with him because he lived life celebrating like he was always at one.
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Rose Lizenberg says:
I’m truly sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. *hugs to you both*
christina says:
Too crazy huh?
Maybe that guy he hit with the bottle pushed him in, or some other river dwelling freak. Because you are right, he wouldn’t have chosen to swim is that stanky water.