SMYTHE, ROBERT H., JR.

The bodies of two men, both of whom apparently died of asphyxiation caused by gas fumes from home heaters, were discovered in their residences, one in West Barstow and the other in Oro Grande.

One of the men died about Dec. 29 or 30, while the other [Smythe] had been dead since approximately Dec. 19 [1952], according to Chief Dep. Coroner E. P. Doyle, who investigated for Coroner R. E. Williams.

Dead are August W. Laedlein, 70, of Star Rt. 55A, Oro Grande, and Robert H. Smythe, 44, of the Grand View district of West Barstow.

The body of Laedlein was discovered at noon Saturday on the floor of his Oro Grande home by his landlord. When the body was found, the gas heater, a wall panel type, was burning and the house was tightly closed, according to Doyle.

Laedlein is survived by his sister, Martha Van Arsvall of Los Angeles.

The body was taken to O’Donnell’s Mortuary in Victorville, where an autopsy is pending. Laedlein died about Dec. 29 or 30, Doyle said.

Dep. Sheriff Dewey Smart assisted in the investigation.

The body of Smythe was discovered lying across his bed at about noon Friday by a neighbor who looked in through a window, according to Doyle.

An unvented gas heater was burning, and the room was also closed, Doyle said. Cause of death was apparently asphyxiation from monoxide gas.

Smythe was a retired Marine master sergeant and a member of the Marine Reserve. He is survived by his wife, Helen.

The body was taken to O’Donnell’s Mortuary in Barstow.

Aiding Doyle in his investigation were Sheriff’s Capt. Arthur Manning and Constable Pendergrast of Amboy, Ludlow Township.