OttawaHerald.com -- Community News. Community Connections.

	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

2009-11-07

2009-11-04

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Thursday, June 11, 2009 11:52 AM

File photo/The Ottawa Herald

Franklin County Sheriff Craig Davis talks with Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents, Ottawa Fire Department officers and Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies as they document evidence from a burned vehicle March 5 at the Franklin County Public Works building, 1939 Elm St., Ottawa. The vehicle was found March 4 northwest of Richmond with the burned body of Lena Roye Mathenthin, 39, Garnett, inside.

Incident involving Garnett woman’s burned car, body ruled an accident

Tests show presence of alcohol at the time of motorist’s death

By COURTNEY SERVAES, Herald Staff Writer

The death of a Garnett woman who was found dead in her vehicle in March has been ruled accidental, Franklin County Sheriff Craig Davis said.

Lena Roye Mathenthin, 39, Garnett, was found dead in a burned-out sport utility vehicle March 4. Officers and firefighters responded to a report of a small grass fire two miles west of Richmond and about one-half mile north of Eisenhower Road, which was where the vehicle was located.

Mathenthin, who Davis said died of smoke inhalation, was identified days after her body was discovered through the use of dental records, Davis said.

Until recently, Davis said it was unknown whether Mathenthin was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but test results showed that alcohol was present at the time of her death.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire originated under the car and spread to the dry grass nearby. Davis said he isn’t certain why Mathenthin remained in the vehicle or was unable to get out, but an autopsy revealed that no foul play was involved.

Mathenthin had two grown children and an 11-year-old son.