Dr. Andrew Bourne, 46, accused of having unlawful contact with a child with intent to commit a sexual crime and lewd act upon a child, was found dead in Mammoth Lakes on Tuesday, according to a press release issued by the Mono County Sheriff’s Department. Santa Barbara District Attorney Joyce Dudley told The Independent that he committed suicide.
Authorities say that Bourne, along with another Mammoth Lakes resident named Joseph Walker, carried on an almost two-year relationship with a Santa Barbara County youth who is now 16 years old. Bourne and Walker, 48, both pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were out on $750,000 bail.
Bourne’s contract with Mammoth Hospital where he worked was terminated and he had reportedly resigned from his school board position.
Bourne was discovered unresponsive at approximately 4:00 p.m. this afternoon by a Mono County Sheriff’s Department dispatch in response to a call. The release says authorities have ruled out foul play.
He leaves behind a wife and two children.