The King of Carson, Carson City's beloved resident celebrity deer, has died
For nearly 10 years the King of Carson, Carson City’s resident celebrity buck, has reigned supreme across the west side of Carson, collecting fans wherever he trod. But Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, we are sad to report the King has died.
His body was discovered in a backyard on Roop Street, which, according to homeowner Gary Skinner, was one of the King’s frequent resting spots.
He was found in the back corner of the yard in the shade, with strips of his velvet still hanging from his crown where he had been attempting to scratch them off over the last few days. His antlers were tinted red from the shed velvet, and his coat was unmarred by disease or injury. He had only been dead a short time when he was discovered.
According to the Game Warden Jake Kreamer, the cause of death could not be determined at the scene as the king had no broken bones or obvious signs he had been struck by a vehicle. However, there were signs it was not a natural death from old age.
The king was taken by the game warden where he will undergo an autopsy. Assassination by rival bucks who want to assume his crown cannot fully be ruled out.
It is unknown at this time what will happen to the King’s body following his autopsy, but everyone present including the game warden, Carson City public works employees, neighbors and a Carson City’s Sheriff’s Office deputy agreed he was too important to simply be hauled away to the landfill.
Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong gave his condolences after learning of the King’s passing.
“He’s a huge celebrity,” said Furlong. “We very often see him on the steps of the sheriff’s office. It’s very sad to lose him. The deer are wild and you have to be careful, but so many people of Carson cherish the deer.”
The sheriff recounted the deer are generally great citizens of the city.
“The deer in Carson are the most obedient crosswalk users I’ve ever seen,” said Furlong. “So many of our residents could learn a thing or two about using the crosswalk from the deer. The deer have become iconic to this community.”
Carson City Mayor elect Lori Bagwell agreed that the deer are very iconic, and was sad to hear of the King’s demise.
“It’s really sad to lose such an iconic figure in Carson City,” said Bagwell. “The capitol won’t be the same without him.”
The last time the King made the news, he was saved by deer hunters who found the King in a bit of a scrape after tussling with a clothesline in early January. He had to be tranquilized and untangled by the game warden.
We will update with the King’s autopsy report on how he died, and what — if anything — will be done with his body.
Please send any photos you have of the King of Carson to Kelsey@carsonnow.org to add to the gallery. You can also leave comments and condolences below.
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