Cliff Thompson's death due to natural causes

Former Taft City Councilman and Mayor Cliff Thompson died of natural causes, the Kern County Sheriff-Coroner announced Monday afternoon.

In a news release sent out just before 4 p.m., the Coroner announced Thompson died of heart disease.

"The cause of death was ischemic heart disease, a focus of occlusive atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. The manner was determined to be natural."

Thompson, 60, was found unresponsive in his home by a family member on April 5 and was later pronounced dead after efforts by firefighters and paramedics to revive him failed. An autopsy conducted the next day was inconclusive.

Thompson was elected three times to the Taft City Council.

He served as mayor as well as representing the city on several boards and agencies, including KernCOG and LAFCO.