The death of Thomas Jackson, the man found in a charred pickup truck July 13 outside the gates of the afluent Atherton gated community in southwest Morgan Hill will likely be ruled a suicide, according to Morgan Hill police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer.
"All the information we have leads us to believe that it is a suicide," he said Wednesday, adding that police are investigating the tragedy as if it was a homicide. "There is still more investigation to do on it, but we have a theory on how it may have happened."
Jackson's body was found inside a scorched truck on Easy Street at the gates to the Atherton Way and Atherton Circle community the evening of July 13 after firefighters responded to the call of a vehicle fire.
Officers were investigating the death as a homicide because Jackson had been shot, but Neumayer said one of the theories detectives are pursuing is that Jackson shot himself and his foot pressed down on the accelerator of the truck. The constant pressure may have caused the engine to rev high until it sparked into flames, he said. Neighbors have told investigators they heard the sound of an engine revving prior to the fire.
The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office has not released a report on the cause of death, and Neumayer said he believes the coroner is waiting for the results of the toxicology tests.
The Times has received several emails expressing concern for Jackson and for the family and calling him a "very nice person."
Several family members have expressed a willingness to talk about Jackson and his life, but have said they want to talk with other family members before doing so. Jackson left behind a sister and two brothers and his parents. He was not married and had no children.
Marilyn Dubil Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or send her an email.
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