The identity of a man who was found dead in a Martinez creek was released by authorities on Monday, two weeks after the body was discovered.
Martinez police officers responded to the Alhambra Creek around 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 16 and saw William Deignan, 50, of Martinez in the water. Police determined that Deignan had been dead before their arrival.
Authorities said an autopsy ruled that Deignan died of a drug overdose. Injuries police could see on Deignan’s body when they discovered him were caused by animals, they said.
The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office did not release Deignan’s identity until Monday because of challenges finding his next of kin.
