Medical Examiner declines to do autopsy on Callaway mayor

The Bay County Health Department is investigating a mold issue that may have caused the death of the mayor of Callaway.

Mayor Bob Thompson was hospitalized and ultimately died Saturday after recently examining a ditch at the request of a local homeowner, his family said. Family members requested an autopsy, but the Medical Examiner's Office declined to do one, officials and family members said Tuesday.

Family members are now seeking a private autopsy.

Meanwhile, Doug Kent, the administrator of the Bay County Health Department, said Tuesday he had sent an investigator to examine the ditch.

“They’ll give me a report back,” he said.

However, he cautioned that Aspergillus, a genus of mold consisting of several hundred species, also known as “black mold,” was “very common.” He added that the mold, which is found both indoors and outdoors, usually causes health problems for people with reduced immune systems and the elderly.

“As we get older, we become more susceptible to molds,” Kent said.

Thompson was 80.

His daughter and his widow addressed the Callaway City Commission at its workshop Tuesday evening, accusing commissioners of complicity in Thompson’s death.

“What do I have to say? Not much, because Bob shouldn’t have died,” Reeda Thompson said. “I’m pissed off.”

Deborah Ballmeyer, Thompson’s daughter, accused officials from not only Callaway but other local government entities and medical professionals of conspiring to cover up the mold issues she said led to her father’s death. She said the family and their supporters would continue to investigate Thompson’s death and the alleged cover up.

“This is not going to go away easy,” she said.

City commissioners did not respond to the allegations, except to express thanks at the end of the presentation. Commissioner Thomas W. Abbott, mayor pro tempore, said the city would be diligent “in all that we do.”

Bobby Baker, the interim city manager and public works director for the city of Callaway, said the ditch in question is located near Forsythe Drive in Callaway Point. Baker said the woman who asked that the ditch be examined contacted Thompson directly and that he had no other information about the situation. He also said the city mows the ditch a few times each year. The last time was earlier this month.

According to the city charter, Abbott will act as mayor until the next regularly scheduled election in two years. Abbott’s vacancy from the Ward 2 seat will be filled with an appointment by a majority vote of board members at the June 12 committee meeting.

“I guess I’m as shocked as everyone and I certainly feel for the family,” Abbott said. “Mrs. Thompson has lost her life mate of 61 years. As an elected official, I’m going to step forward … and do my very best to keep a professional and calm focus on business in the city.”

News Herald writer Chris Olwell contributed to this report.

 An earlier version of this report appears below:

PANAMA CITY — The Bay County Health Department is investigating a mold issue that may have caused the death of the Mayor of Callaway.

Mayor Bob Thompson was hospitalized and ultimately died Saturday after examining a ditch at the request of a local homeowner, his family said. Family members requested an autopsy but Bay County’s Medical Examiner, Dr. Michael Hunter declined to do one, officials and family members said Tuesday.

Family members are now seeking a private autopsy.

Meanwhile, Doug Kent, the administrator of the Bay County Health Department said Tuesday he had sent an investigator to examine the ditch.

“They’ll give me a report back,” Kent said.

However, he cautioned that Aspergillus, a genus of mold consisting of several hundred species, also known as Black Mold, was “very common.” He added that the mold, which is found both indoors and outdoors, usually causes health problems for people with reduced immune systems and the elderly.

“As we get older we become more susceptible to molds,” Kent said.

Bobby Baker, the interim city manager and public works director for the city of Callaway, said the ditch in question is located near Forsythe Drive in Callaway Point. Baker said the woman who asked that the ditch be examined contacted Thompson directly and that he had no other information about the situation. He also said the city mows the ditch a few times each year. The last time was earlier this month.

According to the city charter, Commissioner Thomas W. Abbott, mayor pro tempore, will act as mayor until the next regularly scheduled election in two years. Abbott’s vacancy from the Ward II seat will be filled with an appointment by a majority vote of board members at the June 12 committee meeting.

“I guess I’m as shocked as everyone and I certainly feel for the family,” Abbott said. “Mrs. Thompson has lost her life mate of 61 years. As an elected official I’m going to step forward … and do my very best to keep a professional and calm focus on business in the city.”