Brandon McInerney's Dad Found Dead

William McInerney, the father of the 15 year-old confessed murderer of gay teen Lawrence King, was found dead this morning.

William McInerney, 45, was found dead about 7:30 a.m. today at his home in the 2500 block of Roosevelt Boulevard. He was found by a friend who was picking him up to take him to his son’s preliminary hearing this morning in Superior Court, said Craig Stevens, a Ventura County senior deputy medical examiner. Stevens said an autopsy was being conducted today to determine the cause of death. There was no indication of trauma, injury or foul play, he said. “There is no obvious cause of death — no note or anything like that,” said sheriff’s Capt. Ross Bonfiglio. Attorney Jay Leiderman, representing William McInerney in a recent domestic violence case, said the family authorized him to issue a statement on their behalf. “The McInerney family asks that you respect their privacy at this difficult time. We understand that Bill McInerney’s death was a tragic accident. Everyone who knew him is devastated by this loss,” the statement read.

William McInerney had been scheduled to stand trial on April 2nd for threatening to kill his sister over an incident unrelated to his son's trial. The younger McInerney's case has riveted the LGBT world and spawned a multi-million dollar lawsuit by the victim's family. Brandon is being tried as an adult and faces 51 years to life in prison.