Mysterious Death of Erica Blasberg
Posted on 25. Aug, 2010 by Anna Zimmerman in Headlines, Sports
LAS VEGAS — After 4 months of investigation, Clark County coroner’s office released a statement on Tuesday ruling suicide as the cause of death of the 25 year old LPGA golfer Erica Blasberg. While authorities found no traces of foul play they have issued a arrest warrant for then suspect Dr. Thomas Hess on obstruction charges. Dr. Hess, who discovered Blasberg’s body and called 911, had removed items from the scene.
The former University of Arizona star died May 9 2010 at her home in Henderson, Nevada. She Her body was found with a plastic bag over her head when authorities responded to a 911 call around 3 p.m.
Henderson police department said that Ms. Blasberg died of suicide due to asphyxia. The autopsy, however, also discovered presence of toxic levels of prescription medication in her system– including prescription headache, cough, pain, and anti-anxiety medications. “While asphyxia was the primary cause of death, the presence of prescription drugs also played a significant role,” said Coroner Michael Murphy.
The death investigation was further complicated when police found that the crime scene had been altered earlier. Dr. Hess admitted to altering the scene – including the removal of a suicide note–. He (Dr. Hess) hid the prescription medications and the suicide note in his vehicle, said the police. The contents of the note haven’t been disclosed.
Meanwhile, Erica’s father Mel Blasberg is not convince that his daughter took her own life. In an interview with ABC News, he stopped short of identifying Hess as the suspect. To this day, he is not certain what his daughter’s relationship with the doctor was but as more details emerged from the investigation, Mel is more convinced that the Doctor is central to Erica Blasberg’s death. “their relationship went beyond doctor-patient and he was there before she died,” Mel said.
Hess submitted himself into the hands of Henderson authorities. He was booked into jail but released about 35 minutes later after posting a $637 bail in Tuesday afternoon. Erica’s father is not happy with the investigation. “I’m trying very hard not to believe that it has been compromised. I think the police are totally intimidated by the high profile of the case,” he said.
While Henderson police spokesman Todd Rasmussen said there is currently no person of interest in the death investigation, Mr. Blasberg thinks otherwise and resolved to pursue the matter with Hess in a civil court regardless of what the police concludes.
“In Erica’s best interest, we have no other choice,” Mel said. “At the bottom of this, we just want to know what happened,” he added.
Erica Paige Blasberg was born on July 14, 1984 in Orange County, California. She was raised in Corona, California and attended Corona High School where she played for the boy’s golf team. She turned professional last June 2004 and won a Duramed FUTURES Tour before joining the LPGA Tour in 2005. She was in her sixth season on the Tour. As an amateur, she was a former junior golf standout, an All-American in 2003 and 2004. She attended the University of Arizona where she was the 2003 NCAA freshman of the year and 2003 Pac-10 player of the year.