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CA- P.G. girl's stalker found dead on Asilomar Beach

6-13-2006 California:

A 44-year-old man recently released from the county jail after serving time for stalking a Pacific Grove High School student was found dead Saturday morning in the Asilomar beach track area of Pacific Grove. Pacific Grove Police said the body of Benjamin Peter Munhall, 44, of Monterey was found in the vicinity of the stalking victim's residence. Police are withholding the cause of death pending an announcement by the coroner's office, but in a statement said that no foul play is suspected at this time. Sgt. Kathy Hale, who was on the scene, said she could not comment because of the ongoing investigation.

Police said Munhall was seen Friday night at Pacific Grove High School where the stalking victim was graduating. Officers searched the area all night for Munhall after being authorized by the Monterey County Probation department to arrest him on a parole violation. Munhall was arrested on June 28, 2005, on suspicion of stalking, child annoyance and prowling. At the time The Herald reported that Munhall had met the girl at a Pacific Grove High School football game in September 2003, when she was 14. A week later he followed her home and gave her a gift. The victim reportedly told her parents about the man, but at that time police didn't know his identity.

"He was infatuated with the young lady," said Pacific Grove Police Lt. Darius Engles. In June 2005, he tried to contact the girl again, showing up at her home at various hours of the day, calling her home and leaving gifts by her car. Neighbors reported seeing his car parked in front of the girl's house. He was arrested in his car in front of the girl's home, and appeared to be living in his vehicle. Police said at the time of his arrest that not much had gone on between Munhall and the victim between September 2003 and June 2005.

Munhall pleaded guilty to a charge of stalking and was sentenced Nov. 18 to a year in jail and 5 years probation. He was required to register as a sex offender and was ordered to have no contact with the victim. He was released Feb. 21 after serving 293 days from the date of his arrest. ..more.. : by Herald Staff Report. See also: Stalker's death ruled a suicide "Benjamin Peter Munhall, 44, of Monterey, was found dead Saturday morning in the Asilomar beach tract area. He died of a cut to the throat; a double-edged razor blade was found nearby, police said."

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