Coroner rules hotel death a suicide

A coroner’s inquest jury ruled Thursday that the death of a man found in a hotel in Contra Costa County earlier this year, was a suicide.

Sheriff’s officials said deputies were dispatched to conduct a welfare check on Taylor Barlow at a hotel on Feb. 3.

According to sheriff’s officials, deputies made contact with Barlow through a locked door before he allegedly shot himself.

Barlow was transported to a hospital where he later died.

The coroner’s jury reached its verdict Thursday after hearing the testimony of witnesses in a hearing, according to the sheriff’s office.

A coroner’s inquest is held in Contra Costa County whenever there is a fatal incident involving law enforcement officers.

The jury rules on the manner of a person’s death and can choose whether it was an accident, suicide, natural causes, or at the hands of another person other than by accident.