Former Boulder resident and Web root founder Steven Thomas appears to have died of injuries from a fall, the Honolulu medical examiner said Tuesday.
“The injuries he had are consistent with a fall from a height,” said Dr. Kanthi De Alwis, who performed the autopsy Monday. “However, at this point, we have not concluded the manner, which means whether he jumped or accidentally fell.”
Homicide is not suspected at this time, she said. Toxicology tests are being conducted and could take several weeks, she said.
De Alwis determined that Thomas had been dead five to six days when hikers found his body Sunday.
The 36-year-old entrepreneur was found about 200 feet below the Pali lookout, a scenic overlook in the mountains just northeast of Honolulu on Oahu island. The spot is about 5 miles from Thomas’ beachfront home in Lanikai, outside Kailua.
Thomas had been missing for two weeks. He had recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, but refused medication and medical attention. His behavior in the months and weeks leading up to his disappearance increasingly alarmed family members.
Friends and family members have said Thomas did not exhibit signs of mental-health problems until recently.
“Nothing I experienced in my relationship with Steve” foreshadowed the problems that appear to have plagued him in his last few months, former Web root chief executive David Moll said. “He was nothing but centered during the time we worked together, and we were connected at the shoulder for three years.”
Family members declined to comment this week.
Thomas, who grew up in Boulder, founded Webroot with Boulderite Kristen Talley. The company designs security software that combats spyware, among other threats.
In 2004, venture capitalists paid $108 million for a stake in Webroot and to buy out Thomas and Talley. The amount the co-founders received wasn’t reported, but Thomas’ brother, Kevin, has said Steven Thomas’ net worth was around $50 million.
Greg Griffin: 303-954-1241 or ggriffin@denverpost.com
