Police investigating deaths of James McRae, Gary Cooper, California men with meth lab on a houseboat
Two California men were found dead inside a houseboat, which had been setup to run a meth lab.
Solano County Sheriff’s office identified the two victims as Gary Lee Cooper, age 72, and James Eugene McRae, age 49 late Tuesday evening.
Solano County Sheriff’s Deputy Daryl Snedeker said to the press that homicide has not been ruled out, but the focus of the probe by law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration is “suspicious deaths.”
Snedeker added that investigators hope that autopsies scheduled in the coming week will provide answers.
Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol reportedly discovered the two Monday afternoon during a hunt for “two missing anglers.”
The houseboat was retrofitted into a small drug lab where methamphetamine can be produced. Deputy Snedeker confirmed that a “small amount” was found inside of the vessel. Officers who entered the boat were exposed to dangerous vapors and odors from the chemicals and were examined at a local hospital and released.
DEA and other law enforcement have secured the vessel and its contents.
Police are hopeful the autopsy reveals more direct evidence to cause of death.
Crime Scene Tape photo/editted pic from FBI.gov
