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Medical examiner: Cause of Cheryl DeBoer's death asphyxia and drowning

The cause of Cheryl DeBoer’s death was released Monday by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. — According to officials, DeBoer died of asphyxia from a plastic bag over her head and freshwater drowning. DeBoer had been missing from Mountlake Terrace for nearly a week before she was found dead in a culvert.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS:

  • Body of Cheryl DeBoer found after missing for nearly a week
  • Group of searchers found her body in a culvert
  • Cause of death asphyxia and drowning
  • Police investigating death as homicide, per city official
  • Blood stains found in DeBoer's car, small cuts apparently self-inflicted on fingers
  • Husband ruled out as suspect, no known person of interest
A group of volunteers that included friends, family members and co-workers discovered her body. Investigators said the area was a crime scene and the death was suspicious.
DeBoer was supposed to be at a carpool at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center, but instead texted a friend, saying she had to go home and grab her work badge and would take the bus to work instead.
No one heard from her after that.
Police said apparent blood stains were found in her car during investigation.

Officials asked for the public's help in locating her after she went missing. The manner of DeBoer's death has not been determined. 

From Police Chief Greg Wilson: "At this point in the investigation, there is nothing to suggest DeBoer's death was the result of an act of homicidal violence."

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Cox Media Group

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