Corning man dies after fight at park

Officials are investigating why a Corning man died Tuesday during a fight at Woodson Bridge County Park.

Steven James Biddle, 30, of Corning died at the scene around 10 p.m. after he and his father, Lawrence Bruce Biddle, 50, were involved in a fight with a group of men at the park’s boat ramp.

An autopsy was conducted on Steven Biddle’s body Thursday by the coroner’s office in Woodland.

“The coroner said there were not any injuries on the body that point to criminal conduct,”  Tehama County Sheriff Clay Parker said. “In other words, Steven did not die from injuries caused during the fight.”

He said the coroner’s office is now waiting for toxicology results, which could take two to three weeks.

Around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, a group of eight people were pulling two fishing boats out of the river. Words were exchanged between the group and the Biddles, who had been shooting paintballs and drinking, Parker said.

“At some point, Lawrence Biddle walked up to the group, comments were made and he threw a punch,” Parker said. “Someone in the group threw a punch back and others started to pull them apart and held Biddle back.”

Steven Biddle – 6 feet, 5 inches tall and 280 pounds – then rushed toward the group before a man from the  group jumped on his back and both men fell to the ground, according to Parker. Both Biddles were held down by the other men until law enforcement arrived.

When sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers arrived, they found Steven Biddle was unconscious and not breathing. They began CPR until paramedics arrived, at which time Steven Biddle was pronounced dead, Parker said.

Lawrence Biddle, suffering wounds to his face and complaining of back and neck pain, was taken by ambulance to Enloe Medical Center in Chico, where he was treated and released. He is now home recovering, according to Steven’s godmother, Karen Byrd.

“He is distraught over Steven’s death. The whole family is,” she said. “Steven leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter and wife.”

Parker said the investigation is continuing, and no charges or arrests are pending.

Julie R. Johnson can be contacted at 824-5464 or jjohnson@tcnpress.com