Hamada’s drowning accidental

Friday, Feb. 4, 2000 | 11:17 a.m.

The Clark County coroner's office has ruled the death of Las Vegas restaurateur June Chizuko Hamada an accidental drowning.

Hamada, owner of the four Hamada of Japan restaurants in Las Vegas, was found dead in a swimming pool behind her home in the 800 block of Pinnacle Park Avenue Jan. 10.

The official cause of death had been pending until toxicology tests were completed. The tests showed there was nothing in her blood that could have contributed to her death, Coroner Ron Flud said this morning.

Hamada, 62, was found fully clothed and unconscious in the pool about 8 p.m. Jan. 10. Paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive her.

Hamada also had no other trauma that could have caused her death. An autopsy also showed that there were no minor wounds on her that could be proof that she was assaulted in some way, Flud said.

Hamada had a heart condition, but there is no way to determine if it contributed to her death, Flud said.

She was the co-owner of the restaurants with her husband, Jay. The first Hamada of Japan opened on Flamingo Road in 1967.

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