Cause of death pending for downtown Steamboat business owner
Scott Franz
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Routt County Coroner’s Office is waiting for toxicology tests before determining the cause of death for 51-year-old Chris Johns.
An autopsy was performed, but toxicology tests were needed. The results of those tests are expected in two to three weeks.
Johns, who had epilepsy, was found by a friend Tuesday morning at his home on Blue Sage Lane.
Johns was a former BMX competitor and cross-country mountain bike racer and owned Wheels Bike Shop at 811 Yampa St. in downtown Steamboat.
Friends have created a memorial in front of the shop.
Johns started the business in 1995 as a bicycle service shop out of a dirt-floored garage in Steamboat’s Brooklyn neighborhood.
Wheels was located on the west side of Steamboat before moving in 2011 into a building along the Yampa River he shared with Peter Van De Carr’s Backdoor Sports.
In 2014, Johns was voted best bike mechanic in the Best of the Boat competition.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date.
To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland.
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