Marin coroner’s office names Novato homicide victim

A 47-year-old man has been identified as the victim in a deadly dispute among housemates in Novato, authorities said.

Ray Allen Mays died Friday at his residence in the Lanham Village neighborhood, according to Novato police and the Marin County coroner’s office. The fight was over housing arrangements, authorities said.

Police were called around 4:30 p.m. to 49 Martin Drive and arrived to find Mays on his back porch with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His dog Flex also was found with similar apparent injuries and died, the coroner’s office said.

Mays’ housemate, Paul Henry Dwight, 65, was arrested on suspicion of murder and animal cruelty. Dwight remained in custody without a bail amount Monday at the Marin County Jail.

Police also arrested a second man in the home — Carlos Rodriguez, 47, of Novato — on suspicion of obstructing the investigation. He is not in custody.

The Marin County District Attorney’s Office was still reviewing potential changes Monday.

Mays had run a business, Amazing Ray Handyman Services, since July 2021, according to his business license. He is a former resident of Lakeport in Lake County, according to his social media accounts.