Woman found dead at Modesto park possibly run over by mower
MODESTO - A woman was found dead in a Modesto park after possibly being run over by a tractor that was mowing the grass.
According to a statement from the Modesto Police Department, on Saturday, July 8 around noon, a landscaping employee was riding on a tractor equipped with a pull-behind lawn mower and cutting the grass at Beard Brook Park. As he was working, he noticed a woman's body lying on the ground in an area that he had already mowed.
The worker then immediately called 911, and when police arrived at the park, found the body of a woman later identified as 27-year-old Christine Chavez. She was pronounced dead at the scene and released to the coroner.
The park, which is owned by E. & J. Gallow Winery, is located at 400 S Morton Boulevard. It had been owned by the city of Modesto but had been transferred to the winery on July 7.
E. & J. Gallo Winery issued the following statement about the incident that read, in part:
"Gallo and the landscaping contractor are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities on this situation.
Gallo expresses its sincere condolences to the family of the victim.
