Late City Manager William Tarbox died of cardiac arrest, City of Redding says
Tarbox died unexpectedly on July 19, just months after beginning his role as Redding’s city manager. A funeral is planned for this Friday, July 31. Members of the public are welcome.
The City of Redding has announced funeral arrangements for City Manager William Tarbox, who died unexpectedly due to cardiac arrest on July 19. He was 56 years old.
His family has invited friends, colleagues and members of the public to attend a funeral liturgy celebrating his life and service this Friday morning at St. Joseph’s Church. A reception will follow immediately afterwards, across the street at St. Joseph’s School.
Tarbox joined Redding as city manager in February. An obituary shared by his family describes how he built a career in public service, serving in executive leadership positions for several California cities.
“He was known for his integrity, vision, unwavering work ethic, and steadfast dedication to those he served,” the obituary describes. It also notes that he served his country in undisclosed capacities, reflecting what his family called his “quiet patriotism” and commitment to the nation.
Tarbox is survived by his wife, Carrie, and their three children, William, Luca and Riley.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 31, at St. Joseph’s Church, 2040 Walnut Ave. in Redding.
Maya Nelson is a student at Brown University. She’s reporting for Shasta Scout as a 2026 summer intern with support from the Nonprofit Newsroom Internship Program — created by The Scripps Howard Fund and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
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What would constitute foul play?
The man has passed and is no longer a public servant, give his family the privacy and respect that they surely deserve. People die unexpectedly, daily in large numbers and it a very tragic even for his family and their grief is to be respected. Empathy would serve us well in this time and no matter the underlying cause( if there is one) it makes him no less dead.
The autopsy report–minus photographs–should be a public record. We can await the Shasta Scout examining that report, so as to tell us if there is a public issue.
Tarbox died unexpectedly as a result of a cardiac arrest.
Was the cause of death the result of a drug overdose? Preexisting heart condition? Blood clots? Was William Tarbox COVID vaccinated?
In the best interests of the residents in this town, authorities must release the AUTOPSY REPORT since Mr. Tarbox was a public servant.
It is the new normal in America seeing people dying unexpectedly on a daily basis, especially in the last 5 years.
Lars: Unless there’s a suspicion of foul play, why would the public’s interest outweigh family privacy when it comes to revealing autopsy details?
To put it bluntly, why Mr. Tarbox died is none of your damn business. His family doesn’t need to be exposed to morbid curiosity or conspiracy mongering(you tipped your hand with the COVID vaccine comment). Leave these poor people alone.
Selah