Posted: 1/12/2007 3:51:51 PM EDT
On the news they had a block and tackle attached to his ankles trying to lift him out with a ladder truck, it didn't work and they lowered him into the building. i have known the owner for years, the fact that someone died will bother him Link Apparent break-in ends tragically when man asphyxiates in rooftop vent By TRISTAN SCOTT of the Missoulian Police found a man's body protruding from the rooftop ventilation duct at a Missoula craft shop Thursday, the tragic result of a botched burglary. Kenneth Ellingson, 38, was apparently trying to break into the Treasure Chest of Crafts and Hobbies at 1612 Benton St. when he got stuck in the narrow air vent and died of asphyxiation, authorities said. Police would not speculate as to what Ellingson hoped to find inside the store. The owner of the Treasure Chest arrived at about 8:30 a.m. to open the store and discovered that the power and phone lines were disconnected. The owner checked the power box behind the building and found the lines had been cut, then noticed someone had attempted to pry open the back door with a crowbar. The owner called police, who searched the building and found a ladder leading to the roof. An officer climbed the ladder and saw a man's legs protruding from the rooftop vent. According to Missoula Police Lt. Mike Brady, Ellingson had to remove an evaporation, or swamp, cooler from atop the square vent in order to gain entrance. The duct work, which is about 16 inches wide, turns at a 90-degree angle once inside the building, and Ellingson's torso was stuck in the angled portion of the vent. Brady said Ellingson had been dead for several hours by the time authorities were notified. Ellingson was last seen at 9 p.m. Wednesday when he left his home. His family reported him missing early Thursday morning. The Missoula Fire Department assisted police in removing the body, but had to disconnect the duct work, then lower Ellingson's body and part of the vent into the store. Lt. Brad Giffin of the Missoula County Sheriff's Office, who served as coroner on the case, ruled the cause of death to be asphyxiation, and said the manner of death was accidental. There was no foul play. Reporter Tristan Scott can be reached at 523-5264 or at [email protected] |
What's so tragic about it? Sounds like a best case scenario, except for the damaged ductwork and down time for the business owner. Thief was probably looking for model airplane glue or spray paint. |
Check canceled. |
Time to file against the estate! 
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Not too much hope of those checks clearin' now is there! 
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Even better! That'll teach 'im!  I just LOVE a happy ending. 
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