Street deaths update

Two women found dead on local city streets were recently identified. Two days after Christmas, a citizen flagged down a Glenn County Sheriff’s vehicle to report having found a deceased woman behind the old Denny’s on Humboldt Avenue in Willows. She was identified as 58-year-old Patricia Thornton. Her cause of death has yet to be determined, according to a press release, but no foul play is suspected.

A Facebook post by one of Thornton’s family members describes her as having been a loving mother and grandmother.

About a month ago, the afternoon after Thanksgiving, the body of a homeless woman was found in Lindo Channel near Chico Nut Co. on The Esplanade. On Tuesday (Dec. 31), the Butte County Sheriff’s Office told the CN&R she was 60-year-old Rene Harris, of Chico.

Police reported no signs of foul play, and her cause of death was not available by press time.