A seaside community in Orange County, Newport Beach has a current population approaching 90,000 people. Newport Beach is a favored tourist destination in California. In addition, Newport Beach is a growing community in part because of its relatively low crime rate, solid schools, and large number of entertainment, cultural, and recreational opportunities.

Murder of Newport Beach Teen is Possible Hate Crime

A 20-year old Newport Beach resident was charged with murder. The man, Samuel Woodward, is alleged to have stabbed a former high school classmate to death, a 19-year old named Blaze Bernstein. The possibility of Woodward being charged with a hate crime also exists.

Bernstein was visiting his parents at their Newport Beach home, taking a break from his studies at the University of Pennsylvania. The young man was reported missing by his parents on the morning of January 3. His body was not found until January 9, partially buried in a park. The Newport Beach Police Department reported that Bernstein had been stabbed more than 20 times by an assailant, who later was identified as Woodward.

The two young men were interacting on Snapchat during the evening of January 2. Eventually, Woodward came to Bernstein’s parent’s house to pick him up. Sometime after picking up Bernstein, Woodward is alleged to have stabbed Bernstein to death. Law enforcement connected Woodward to the killing via DNA found at the scene of Bernstein’s remains. As the investigation has gone on, there is some indication that Woodward stabbed Bernstein after Bernstein attempted to kiss him.

Murder and Unattended Death in Newport Beach

The death of Blaze Bernstein was a tragic event that shocked the community of Newport Beach and also illustrates what happens after a murder as well as an unattended death. An unattended death is one in which a person dies for one reason or another and the remains are not discovered for a more extended period of time. Oftentimes, an unattended death occurs when no one is around, the sole exception being a murder. The period of time can be days, weeks, or even months. In the case of the murder of Blaze Bernstein, about a week passed before his body was found.

Common types of situations that result in what are classified as unattended deaths include:

  • Suicides
  • Homicides
  • Accidents
  • Heart attacks or strokes
  • Disease

A violent murder and an unattended death in which a body is not promptly found, result in the prospect that dangerous biological pathogens will be released at the scene. For example, blood and other bodily fluids can contain harmful bacteria or viruses like:

  • MRSA
  • HIV
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C

When homicide or suicide occurs in a residence that involves a firearm, knife, or some mechanism that results in the release of blood or other bodily fluids, serious thought should be given to retaining the services of a biohazard cleanup professional. Similarly, in the aftermath of an unattended death, professional remediation should also be engaged.

The human decomposition process is something that starts directly after a person dies. Within a couple of days, hazardous fluids and gases are released from a decomposing body.

Biohazard Cleanup in Newport Beach

Because of the potential exposure to dangerous pathogens, family members or others who face the task of cleaning up following a suicide, murder, or unattended death really do need to consider engaging professional assistance. In addition to the physical safety risk, the emotional wellbeing of individuals who’ve lost a loved one via a suicide, murder, or unattended death is best protected by having a professional Newport Beach biohazard cleanup specialist undertake this effort.

Newport Beach Grief Therapists

A person who has lost a loved one because of suicide, murder, or an unattended death faces the prospect of a challenging bereavement process. Indeed, the grief that follows these types of gruesome deaths can prove to be virtually overwhelming. As a result, an individual dealing with the aftermath of the loss of a loved one in a violent means or in circumstances that are not immediately discovered can benefit significantly by engaging the professional help of a Newport Beach grief therapist. Newport Beach grief therapists include:

Cynthia Baker
1001 Dove Street, Suite 280
Newport Beach, California 92660
(714) 702-5968

Novation Center
1707 East Bay Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92661
(757) 695-3534

Patrice Hooke
1151 Dove Street, Suite 245
Newport Beach, California 92660
(949) 313-8990

These therapists provide different types of treatment options for their clients. Included among these options are individual and group therapy. In some cases, an individual struggling with the bereavement process can benefit from both types of therapy. A Newport Beach grief therapist will schedule an initial consultation with a prospective client and typically charges no fee for the consult.

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