Coroner rules Erica Blasberg committed suicide

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
LAS VEGAS – The Clark County coroner’s office ruled Tuesday that 25-year-old professional golfer Erica Blasberg’s death was a suicide.

Blasberg died May 9 at her home in Henderson, about 15 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip. She was found with a plastic bag secured over her head.
Henderson police said that while no foul play is suspected they have issued a misdemeanor arrest warrant for Dr. Thomas Hess on obstruction charges. Police said Hess, who discovered Blasberg’s body, removed items from the scene, including a suicide note.
The contents of the note haven’t been disclosed.
The coroner’s office said Blasberg died of suicide due to asphyxia, coupled with the presence of toxic levels of prescription medication in her system, including prescription headache, cough, pain and anti-anxiety medications.
The drugs in Blasberg’s system included butalbital, temazepam, alprazolam, codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol, according to the coroner, but Nevada law doesn’t permit the release of details on the amounts of medication.
“While asphyxia was the primary cause of death, the presence of prescription drugs in Ms. Blasberg’s system was a significant factor,” Coroner Michael Murphy said.
Henderson police spokesman Keith Paul said authorities would contact Hess’ lawyer and likely allow the doctor to turn himself in because the charge is a nonviolent misdemeanor. But the spokesman refused to say if additional charges were possible.
Police have said a 911 call from Hess summoning police came from the house, and that Blasberg was alone when officers arrived. Blasberg’s agent said her bags were packed for a tournament in Mobile, Alabama, when she was found.
The death investigation was complicated, police said, because Hess admitted altering the scene – including the removal of the note indicating Blasberg took her own life – and he stopped co-operating with detectives. Hess hid the note and prescription medications in his vehicle.
Blasberg grew up in Southern California, and was in her sixth season on the LPGA Tour.
She was a former junior golf stand-out, an All-American in 2003 and 2004. She was the 2003 NCAA Freshman of the Year and 2003 Pac-10 Player of the Year while at the University of Arizona.
She turned professional in June 2004, after playing for United States in the 2004 Curtis Cup match at Formby, Lancashire, and won once on the Duramed FUTURES Tour before qualifying for the LPGA Tour in 2005.
Her best year on Tour was 2008, when she earned a career-best tie for eighth at the SBS Open in Hawaii and more than $113,000 in winnings, the LPGA said.
Blasberg played in one event this season, tying for 44th in the April 29-May 2 Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico.
Her friends have said she had everything to live for. Why she decided to end her life will remain a mystery until the contents of her suicide note are revealed.







Erica played for United States in the 2004 Curtis Cup match at Formby where the Americans won 10-8.