the event coordinator, Flaim said.
“He’s way too reliable for that, and I said something is definitely wrong,” said Barry Kassar, a TCA member who was close to Watson. Kassar said he went to Watson’s apartment in La Jolla with another TCA member. After finding Watson’s car, they sought help to enter the apartment, where they found Watson’s body on the floor. Kassar, a retired doctor, told TCA members he saw no obvious signs of foul play at the time. Kassar declined to discuss details of the case last night, saying, “I don’t want to say anything that might jeopardize the investigation.’
Several TCA members later learned that police viewed Watson’s death as suspicious, Flaim said. “We’ve been very measured,” he said. “We sat on this information for at least a week, and I didn’t want it to go out under the TCA banner until police said it was OK.” Flaim said investigators gave him that clearance on Thursday.
Homicide investigators were not available after regular business hours yesterday, and did not return messages. A San Diego Police watch commander said he had no information about the case.
Watson, a former pharmaceutical industry and biotech CEO, joined the angel group in 2008, Flaim said. Watson quickly became an active member, joining a committee that pre-screens biomedical business plans submitted by local entrepreneurs who are seeking funding for their ventures. Watson was elected to the San Diego TCA Board of Directors in 2009, and became co-chair of the local chapter’s 2010 “Quick Pitch Competition,” which is usually held in the fall.
Watson came to San Diego about six years ago to head Ionian Technologies, a local life sciences company, Flaim said. Watson had spent much of his career in the pharmaceutical industry at companies like Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and at such smaller companies as Vestar, Galagen, and Carbomed, Flaim said.
A memorial service for Watson has been set for 10 a.m. today, June 19, at El Camino Memorial Park—Sorrento Valley Chapel, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA .
