Stacey English's Cause Of Death Revealed

Stacey English disappeared just days after Christmas, and it took Atlanta authorities more than a month to find the 36-year-old woman's body -- in a heavily wooded area just one mile from where police recovered her abandoned, but still running car.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner is now saying that an autopsy, made publicly available today, indicates death was accidental.

An examination did not reveal any sign of injury or fatal disease, and toxicology tests showed no evidence of a drug overdose.

"The most likely cause of Stacey English's death is cold exposure (hypothermia) complicating underlying neurological and psychiatric disorders," reads a press release from the medical examiner.

"Because cold exposure is an external, environmental condition, the manner of death has been classified as accident," the release continued.

As a result of the findings of the medical examiner's office, Atlanta police are closing the investigation.

"The Atlanta Police Department will be closing the case into the death of Ms. Stacey Nicole English. There will be no further statements issued in relation to this case and we will not be conducting interviews," Carlos Campos, the Public Affairs Manager for the Atlanta Police Department, wrote in an email.

Atlanta police announced on Jan. 23 that English's decomposing body was found under a tree in a heavily wooded area near the Aaron's Amphitheater at Lakewood. The location is roughly one mile from the spot where police found English's car abandoned, but still running, on Dec. 27.

English was reported missing by relatives on Dec. 27. Her cellphone, iPad and the device that opens the gate to her condominium complex were found inside her home. English's vehicle, a white, four-door 2006 Volvo S60 was missing.

The investigation and conclusions by the medical examiner have been peer reviewed by all six medical examiners in the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office. The agency said they will not be give interviews to the media.

English's family has yet to comment on the latest development in the case.

STACEY ENGLISH CASE PHOTOS: (Article Continues Below)

During previous interviews with the media, English's mother and stepfather, Cindy and Kevin Jamieson, said they were convinced she was murdered.

"There is no doubt in my mind that there had to be some type of foul play involved," Cindy Jamison told local news channel WSB-TV. "The way that she was found and where she was found ... We [want] to make sure that no one gets tired at this point -- it's only beginning, there is a lot more work to do."

The medical examiner's office said they will review the investigation again, "if further information becomes available which could impact on [the] cause or manner of death classification."

Comments

[Lucille]

08:59 AM on 02/18/2012

What proof does the Medical Examiner have that Stacey English had "underlying neurological and psychiatric disorders"? Was Stacey's brain tissue abnormal, and/or did she have any prior psychological issues? If not that's a huge leap to make without any proof to back it up.

Up until this article I've previously read nothing from Stacey’s family, friends or colleagues regarding Stacey having any psychological issues, rather people were universally concerned because it was unlike her not contact anyone and wander off.

Also, why won’t the Medical Examiner take any more questions regarding this case, isn’t that their job, to answer questions about someone’s untimely death?

Call me paranoid, but unless the family always knew about some undisclosed psychological issue Stacey had, I don’t believe the Medical Examiner’s conclusion and I hope the family has the support of their community not to settle for this explanation, and if necessary exhume Stacey’s body to be re-examined by a private pathologist.

[o0oooooo0o]

05:26 AM on 04/19/2012

Lucille said --> ***What proof does the Medical Examiner have that Stacey English had "underlying neurological and psychiatric disorders"?...***

I know this reply is over a month later, but maybe this will email to you if you are still interested. Anyway.. to answer one of the questions you posed, about Ms. English's psychological issues, I've seen the full police report from her disappearance and it stated clearly from the outset that her mother, step-father and brother had reported that Stacy had a psychological disorder at the time of her disappearance and was currently taking medication for it under a doctor's supervision. It also stated that she had been hospitalized for an attempted suicide in 2008.

I believe what the medical examiners are saying is true. In fact, it's probably a lot less crazy than some of the scenarios they have seen and dealt with before.

Right now, it is Phoenix Coldon from Saint Louis, MO and Sierra LaMar from Morgan Hill, CA who need as much public focus as possible on their cases.

[japhya1]

09:21 PM on 02/17/2012

So are they saying that this woman decided to go for drive, get out and leave the car running and went to sit under a tree? smh

[PoliSci2008]

05:23 PM on 02/17/2012

The Dirty South Rises Again!

[GoDogGo]

04:43 PM on 02/17/2012

The ridiculous accusations in the comments here show far more willingness to impulsively embrace angry rumors and race-based conspiracy theories than calmly look at facts.

Think about it: Well documented psychological problems, history of severe emotional disorders, erratic & alarming behavior the evening she disappeared (reported by her own family), the car found a day later (NOT a month later), etc. These aren't the facts of a "coverup", they're the sad trail a troubled woman leaves leading to her unfortunate loss. It happens all too often.

For those lobbing baseless accusations of racism without any evidence: You are doing nothing but undermining the credibility of actual cases of racism. Please be more careful when pointing that finger.

[AlaskanWannaB]

02:58 PM on 02/17/2012

OK. Well, read more. Seems she was suffering from some type of emotional disorder.

[MissyChrissy]

02:29 PM on 02/17/2012

Accidental?!!! Her car was left running a mile away from where they found her ......Accidental???

[MrWilli]

10:00 AM on 02/17/2012

ACCIDENTAL DEATH? Her vehicle is found a MONTH after she disappeared, and her car, found less than a mile from her body, and WAS STILL RUNNING? Just what is the gas mileage on these Volvos? What total BULLSHIT. Just another Black person, probably INVOLVED IN DRUGS, or at very least, some other CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE, and so what. How typical. The 'usual' white attitude about Ms English is on display here, and that attitude is the very same one always on display by cops, and includes ALL African- Americans. Just one of the problems here is how this story begs credulity. Again.

[GoDogGo]

04:49 PM on 02/17/2012

You should focus on reading comprehension: The car was found one DAY later, not a month, by which time she had likely passed on from the night's cold. She had a history of mental illness. She was acting erratically and asking family if they were "Satan." And so forth...

Imposing race into a story where no evidence of it exists: What good does that do for anyone?

[Travelchic]

08:56 AM on 02/17/2012

I believe something is being covered up. People do not usually leave without both their cell phone, and key to get back into their gate. Police cover up a lot of cases that are not high profile, or not as easy . Police in Boston covered up my father's death, though my sister knew what time to find him dead and where, the body was stripped down, and in a weird position, and his bank accounts were riddled with inconsistencies, odd movement, and forgeries. The D.A.'s office said, and there was more, of the circumstantial evidence was "very interesting." They can basically throw any case out they do not feel like pursuing, regarless of how suspicious it is.

[ms.understood]

12:44 AM on 02/17/2012

accidental? that doesn't make sense. why would she be 1 mile away from a running car?

[Fallconcrest]

12:34 AM on 02/17/2012

FYI:

I live in the area where Ms. English disappeared and would like to update you on a crucial fact. The family, friends and the police did an extensive search for her. They even searched near the area where she was found. This was done over a period of weeks because the family wanted to keep her name out there. It could not have been easy for them for the weeks that she was missing to go out searching for her.

The police did a week long search of using scuba divers in the lake near where her body was found. All the efforts of everyone involved were to no avail.

There are many valid questions regarding some issues of their findings stated on this thread. My only question is, she was found underneath a fallen tree. The tree they believe had previously fallen due age or weather beatened, and had been there for a period of time. This tree was big and had a big hole under it which is where they found her. I want to know how did she get there if her toes were sticking upward. Did she slide under the tree on her back?? One unamed person said it looked as if someone placed her there.

It is a very sad situation and my prayers and thoughts continue to go out to the family. I hope that the polcie will re-open the case and do further investigation because it does seem strange.

[koon doctor]

06:54 PM on 02/16/2012

All of these negative comments about the police seems unwarranted. If blacks are so concerned about her gone missing where was the massive hunt for her by blacks as whites do when one of thier own go missing. Stop placing blame on others when you dont even want to help . This is why they call it mental illness cause they dont even know what they are doing themselves.

[chazrayb]

08:32 PM on 02/16/2012

Koon doctor, you comments are uncalled for and ugly and I don't think you had ANY good intent when you expressed them. So keep them to yourself...

[MissyChrissy]

02:32 PM on 02/17/2012

What does RACE have to do with any of this!!!!!!!

[jrx238]

05:26 PM on 02/16/2012

wtf Is anyone really supposed to believe this? Nothing makes sense...

[Rosy Cheeks]

04:41 PM on 02/16/2012

I remember when she first went missing, I know it's naive but I was hoping she was still alive. At least, her family can start getting closure. I remember they reported that she was having some mental issues shortly before she went missing and was acting out towards the guy that last saw her. Mental illness is real and it's just as deadly as any other illness. People were so quick to accuse the guy, I can imagine how he feels knowing that he was the last person that could have helped her.

[teagan dalton]

10:16 AM on 02/16/2012

did she have an animal she might have been trying to find?

[Betty Alexander]

11:21 PM on 02/15/2012

Even if she were psche, there should have been search parties looking for her. However, I believe her "friend" did a horrible act. The male figure can certainly be abusive, and that is probably what happened to this young lady. Horrible!! Horrible!!

[chazrayb]

08:35 PM on 02/16/2012

Betty, stop you assusming, you sound like a person that has been there done that and can't get over it and see it around every corner...shame on you!