Sheriff Jim Fryhoff, along with the county’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Chrisopher Young, provided an update during a press conference on Tuesday morning. Sheriff Fryhoff began by offering prayers and thoughts to Kessler’s family. He added the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is "working to gather all facts and evidence to make sense of this incident," and described the investigation as "ongoing and fluid.
An autopsy was performed later Monday and revealed injuries consistent with a fall, including skull fractures, swelling and bruising to the brain. When first responders arrived, Fryhoff said Kessler was responsive and conscious. However, he was bleeding from his head and mouth. He was taken to Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks by paramedics.
Deputies then determined that during the altercation, Kessler fell backward and hit his head. However, what happened beforehand remains unknown.Dr. Young said Mr. Kessler’s condition continued to deteriorate and by 1:10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, he was declared dead.