Please FReepmail nutmeg if you want on or off the Tour de France 2006 list.
Posted on 08/17/2006 5:11:59 AM PDT by gura
By Debbi Farr Baker
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
1:46 p.m. August 16, 2006
SAN DIEGO – David Witt, the 57-year-old father-in-law of embattled Tour de France winner Floyd Landis has died, authorities said Wednesday.
Witt was found dead in his car Tuesday afternoon in a North Park parking garage, according to his friends.
An investigator with the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office confirmed Witt's death but said the cause was still under investigation.
San Diego police reported that a man had committed suicide Tuesday afternoon in a parking garage in North Park. The man was found at 3:14 p.m. and was taken to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead, said San Diego police Detective Gary Hassen.
Witt and his wife Rose own Hawthorn's restaurant in North Park on 29th Street and University Avenue, where Landis memorabilia, including two of his jerseys and several magazine covers, adorn the walls.
Andres Banuelos, a chef for Witt for more than 18 years, confirmed Witt's death.
“He was very nice, a very happy man,” Banuelos said. “I really don't know what happened. It surprised me. I'm shocked.”
Witt and Landis first became friends when they used the same cycling coach and became roommates in 1998 shortly after Landis moved to San Diego.
The two later became related after Witt introduced Landis to his girlfriend Rose's daughter from a previous marriage, Amber Basile. The two couples married, and the former roommates were best men in each other's weddings.
In July, Witt and his wife went to France to watch Landis' victory at the ceremonial finish of the Tour de France on the Champs-Elysees.
Landis, who lives in Murrieta, has since tested positive for testosterone and his Tour victory is in jeopardy.
"The father-in-law of Floyd Landis is dead, from an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound. David Witt was found slumped over in his car in a parking garage in North Park Wednesday. He was 57 years-old."
Very sad.
strange
Very sad indeed.
This is Breaking News?
Is his cousin's ex-girlfriend's orthodontist OK?
When it rains it pours.
I wish the family strength.
The father-in-law shot the ex-girlfriend's orthodontist?? Holy cow!
You sound a bit gruntled to me! What is your problem?
LOL!!!!
Dark Helmet: I am your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate.
Lone Starr: What's that make us?
Dark Helmet: Absolutely nothing!
From what I've heard....he's still trying to straighten things out.
And I thought DU held the title for stupid, tasteless posts.
May he rest in peace. Prayers for the family.
Please FReepmail nutmeg if you want on or off the Tour de France 2006 list.
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