watsonville police officer matt morales ramsay park
Watsonville Police officer Matt Morales secures the scene where a man was found dead Saturday afternoon at Ramsay Park. Photo: Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian

A man was found dead Saturday afternoon at Ramsay Park.

WPD said the man was found by a passerby in a row of shrubs along Main Street. He was identified as Shandon Spotswood, 52, said Ashley Keehn of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

A shopping cart packed with his belongings, a bedroll and an American flag were at his side.

Police said they knew Spotswood, who was homeless, and had had many encounters with him. They said in March, Spotswood told them his birthday was nearing, so on his birthday—March 25—officers presented him with some cupcakes as they lit a candle and sang “Happy Birthday.”

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Tarmo Hannula has been the lead photographer with The Pajaronian newspaper in Watsonville since 1997. More recently Good Times & Press Banner. He also reports on a wide range of topics, including police, fire, environment, schools, the arts and events. A fifth generation Californian, Tarmo was born in the Mother Lode of the Sierra (Columbia) and has lived in Santa Cruz County since the late 1970s. He earned a BA from UC Santa Cruz and has traveled to 33 countries.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Only in American while we give Ukraine, and Israel and other countries 100 of billions.

    Yup American number #1

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  2. Let’s start at home to help Americans and not let something like this happen. Whether it be due to illness or just living on the street. Very sad.

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