Former Presidential Advisor Died Of Blunt Trauma

DOVER, Del. (AP) --The state medical examiner says a federal defense consultant whose body was found in a Wilmington landfill died of blunt trauma.

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Officials said Friday that 66-year-old John Wheeler III of New Castle was assaulted, and that the cause of death is listed as blunt trauma. Officials had determined several weeks ago that Wheeler was the victim of homicide but did not disclose other details.

Wheeler's body was found among a load of trash being dumped at the landfill on the morning of Dec. 31. (see related story)

Witnesses and video surveillance cameras indicate that he was seen wandering around Wilmington in a disoriented manner in the days before his body was found.

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