56 year old Thomas Robert Christopher of Madera County died Friday after suffering injuries during a fight with a Squaw Valley man.
Shortly after midnight, a man dialed 911 to report he had just been involved in a fight with an intruder, later identified as Thomas Christopher. Deputies responded to a home on the 49000 block of Chuckwagon Road in Squaw Valley. There they met with the caller who explained Christopher was injured, lying in his front yard. Deputies attempted to give him medical aid, but he was deceased. The man who survived the fight was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injured leg. Homicide detectives were called to the scene to begin an investigation.
Detectives gained an understanding of what happened after interviewing witnesses and examining evidence. Christopher had parked his vehicle down the road and walked to the trailer on the property and began banging on the door, calling the man by name to come out. The two men have known each other for several years. The man, who was asleep, got up and opened the door. Christopher pushed his way through and immediately began attacking the man with a metal pipe. The man fought back, pushing Christopher out onto the front porch. The man delivered several strikes to Christopher, severely injuring him. The man then called the Sheriff’s Office to report what had taken place.
The early investigation shows Christopher was upset with the man over a woman they have both been involved with. Detectives have not made an arrest. This remains an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with additional information about is asked to please contact Detective Adrian Villegas at (559) 600-8210 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
