Medical examiner reports nothing suspicious in runner’s death

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of death of distance runner Todd Ragsdale last week in the hills above Ashland, but they have ruled out anything suspicious, authorities said.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department issued a short release Monday afternoon stating that preliminary reports from the state medical examiner’s office say there was nothing suspicious about his death and that the office’s investigation would continue this week.

The 46-year-old Ragsdale left his Talent home about 10:30 a.m. Thursday for a light jog in the Ashland Watershed above Lithia Park and did not return. His vehicle was found later that day parked near the trail system.

His body was discovered Saturday afternoon along Ashland Creek after nearly three days of searching that included more than 100 members of the running community along with search-and-rescue crews from eight counties.