WOODBURY COUNTY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety said today (Monday) an investigation into last year’s death of a Woodbury County man has netted no solid results, and the cause remains undetermined.

Officials say on the morning of Thursday October 24, 2019, EMT’s from the Sergeant Bluff Fire and Rescue responded to 6533 Morningside Ave. for a report of a man down. EMT’s located a male subject later identified as 66-year old David Davenport, unconscious inside a residence at the property. Authorities noted that there are two residences located at that location, one being Davenport’s primary residence, where he lived alone, the other a secondary residence, which he rented to tenants.  His tenants found him inside the rental property and notified 911.

Davenport was transported a hospital in Sioux City, where he died the next day. On October 27, 2019, the Sergeant Bluff Fire and Rescue, along with the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, responded Davenport’s primary residence for a reported fire.  No was injured.  The fire was investigated by the Sgt. Bluff Fire and Rescue, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office.

It was during the fire investigation that law enforcement first became aware of Davenport’s recent death. Investigators spoke with medical staff at the hospital, who advised the man had suffered severe head trauma and died as a result of the trauma.  Medical staff did not report any explanation for the head trauma. Based on a recent fire at Mr. Davenport’s residence and time frame of his death, law enforcement requested that an autopsy be conducted on Dave Davenport by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner (IOSME).

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was also requested to assist with the suspicious death investigation. The ME’s forensic autopsy report listed the cause of death at a homicide. As the investigation continued, into both the fire and death, the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office reported that there was no evidence that the fire at Davenport’s primary residence was intentionally set, and ruled the fire as accidental.

In August 2020, investigators met with members of the State Medical Examiner’s Office, after reviewing all the case facts and findings from the investigation, revised his manner of death, ruling it as undetermined.

Anyone with information related to the investigation should contact the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office at 712-224-7680.