Paul Walker’s Remains Have Been Released, Coroner Confirms
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William Volcov/Brazil Photo Press/LatinContent/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Paul Walker’s remains have been transported to Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills, Calif., at the request of the Fast and the Furious series star’s family, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed to ABC News.
The family will now decide on how he will be laid to rest.
TMZ reports an intimate memorial service featuring just family — including Walker’s extended family, his F&F cast and crew — will be invited. A second event, larger, but still invitation only, is reportedly also a possibility, according to the gossip site.
Walker died on Nov. 30 when the 2005 Porsche he was riding in crashed and then erupted in flames after striking a light pole and tree.
The coroner’s office told ABC News last week that two different doctors did autopsies on Walker and friend Roger Rodas, who was driving the car at the time of the crash. They found Rodas died on impact, with Walker dying “maybe” a few seconds after from the combined effects of the impact and the fire.
“Both deaths have been ruled by the coroner to be accidents,” the coroner said.
Meanwhile, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday a second arrest related to the theft of a piece of the car in which Walker and Rodas were killed.
As expected, 25-year old suspect Anthony Janow surrendered to authorities on Tuesday. Janow was booked, remanded and freed the same day after posting $60,000 bond.
Janow was reportedly driving the car that sped from the scene after his passenger, 18-year-old Jameson Witty, allegedly snatched the Porsche’s T-top roof cover from a truck that was transporting what was left of the destroyed vehicle.
Witty was booked at Santa Clarita Valley Station last Thursday and released the following day after posting $20,000 bail. He posted now-deleted pictures of the red panel to his Instagram account, and later apologized for his actions via the same site after his arrest.
Both men were charged with felony grand theft, tampering with evidence, and delaying/obstructing a peace officer. They face a maximum of four and a half years in jail.
The suspects were ordered to appear in San Fernando Court on Jan. 3, 2014.
Meanwhile sources close to Walker’s family tell TMZ that “stunt experts” have visited the crash site and reported back to the family a theory that the car may have crashed after riding over plastic markers in the street, which caused it to hydroplane.
According to the website, the experts have told the family that a car going at a high rate of speed will lose traction after hitting a series of plastic markers called Botts’ Dots.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they have not determined the exact cause of the accident.
In other news, Deadline reports Universal is apparently still hoping to make its July 11, 2014 release date for Fast & Furious 7. Production of the film was postponed indefinitely after the crash and has yet to resume.
Extensive reworking of the film is expected to explain the loss of Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner.
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