Highway 65 death apparent natural causes, authorities say

DUCOR — The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department has ruled the death of an Exeter man found lying outside a vehicle on Highway 65 near Road 24 as a non-criminal act.

TCSD Spokesperson Sgt. Chris Douglass said John Michael Malone, 58 of Exeter, died of apparent natural causes.

He was found by a passing motorist lying face down at about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

The TCSD had first ruled the death as “suspicious,” but have ruled out foul play or a vehicle accident.