MorganHillTimes.com | Updated: Local bar owner found dead in hot tub

NEWS > CRIME, FIRE & COURTS
Updated: Local bar owner found dead in hot tub

May 15, 2008
By Marilyn Dubil





		Vincent Buffington holds an infant in this undated family photo.

Longtime Morgan Hill resident Vincent Buffington, 60, a convicted sex offender and builder of the new Legends Bar, was reportedly found dead in a hot tub at his home on La Mar Court Wednesday morning by his son and daughter.

Buffington's children returned home and found their father's body shortly after 11:30 a.m. and called police. Resuscitation was not attempted, according to Morgan Hill police Special Operations Sgt. Jerry Neumayer, and Buffington was pronounced dead.

The preliminary autopsy report lists the cause of death as accidental, and the toxicology report is not yet complete, Neumayer said Monday.

The body did not have visible cuts and bruises, he said. No one was home during the morning hours, and Buffington had not been seen by family members since the night before.

Buffington's wife, Patsy Buffington, is a partner in Legends Bar and Grill in downtown Morgan Hill. Operating manager and part owner Shauna St. Cloud said Thursday that she had no comment on how his death might affect the business.

A third partner in the business, Pat Hann, died in March. When the building was being renovated prior to the partners opening Legends, several Morgan Hill residents expressed concerns to the Times that Buffington was associated with the business.

On Monday, St. Cloud said there were hundreds of locals at the memorial on Saturday at the bar.

"I've known Vince and his family for 20 years, we were very close friends," St. Cloud said. "He was able to make you laugh, cry and piss you off all at the same time. I loved him and I'll miss him."

Julie Sawyer, another friend of Buffington's, said an autopsy is available and police have ruled the death as a "tragic accident."

Sawyer said Buffington "adored his family. It was family first," she said, holding back tears. "He was trying really hard to take care of his family first and foremost."

Sawyer charged that Morgan Hill police treated his children, who were at the home when the body was found Wednesday morning, "as criminals."

"They made the children feel like criminals," Sawyer said. "They were treating it as a crime scene, but they had no sensitivity to the tragedy that just happened."

Sawyer said Buffington was saddened by the recent death of his longtime friend Gary Lomanto, who died an accidental death May 6.

"I loved (Buffington) dearly and I will miss him," said Carolyn Thomas, Buffington's sister-in-law. "He was a great father. He adored my sister, and he had a big heart. I will miss him dearly. All prayers are needed."

The Times has received threatening e-mails and voice messages following the initial story that appeared on the Times' Web site about Buffington's death and sex offender status.

Laura Ahern, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law and Crime Victims, said the public needs to know when a registered sex offender dies.

"It's very important for the community to be informed of a registrant's status even if somebody dies," she said. "People in the community may believe that offender who was on registry is still alive, and when doing background checks may get misinformation. Another reason why it is important is that this person's photo appearing again may bring forward other victims. In other words, someone may see his photo and his name and be able to come forward. And if a victim is out there scared to come forward, or just scared, learning of the offender's death lets them know they don't have to have that fear anymore."

Buffington was convicted of lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under 14, and his name and photo are on the Megan's Law Web site.

His family and friends were outraged that the Times included the sex offender registrant information in the story and alleged that the crime had been committed 20 or more years ago.

The Times has learned from a source that the offense occurred in 1998 but has not been able to confirm the date.

The Times could not locate details about Buffington's conviction by presstime. Daniel C. Okonkwo, deputy district attorney for the sex offender registration/Megan's Law unit of the Santa Clara County Office of the District Attorney, did not return calls for more information by presstime.

Marilyn Dubil
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or send her an email.