Doctor found dead in boyfriend's chimney; break-in suspected

BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. - A doctor involved in an "on-again, off-again" relationship apparently tried to force her way into her boyfriend's home by sliding down the chimney, police said Tuesday. Her decomposing body was found there three days later.

Jacquelyn Kotarac, 49, first tried to get into the house with a shovel Aug. 25; then she climbed a ladder to the roof, removed the chimney cap and slid feet first down the flue, Bakersfield police Sgt. Mary DeGeare said.

While she was trying to break in, the man she was pursuing escaped unnoticed "to avoid a confrontation," authorities said.

DeGeare said the two were in an "on-again, off-again" relationship.

A coroner determined Tuesday that Kotarac died of mechanical asphyxiation, meaning that her chest could not expand in the small space.

Her boyfriend's identity was not disclosed by police, but the man who resides in the home is William Moodie, 58.

"She made an unbelievable error in judgment, and nobody understands why. And unfortunately, she's passed away," Moodie said. "She had her issues - she had her demons - but I never lost my respect for her."

Moodie did not dispute the police's characterization of his relationship with Kotarac. He would not comment on the circumstances that led to her death, saying that it was more important to focus on the good she did in life.

Moodie, who runs an engineering consulting firm, said Kotarac was a superb internist who often provided service and medication free of charge to her patients.

Kotarac's body was not discovered until a housesitter noticed a stench and fluids coming from the fireplace Saturday, according to a police statement. The housesitter and her son investigated with a flashlight and found Kotarac dead, wedged about two feet above the top of the interior fireplace opening.

Firefighters spent five hours late Saturday dismantling the chimney and flue from outside the house to extract Kotarac's body, DeGeare said.

Officials said Kotarac's office staff reported her missing two days before, when she failed to show for work. Her car and other belongings remained near the man's house.