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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<strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif;">KEY DEVELOPMENTS:</span></span></strong>
- 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
Officials asked for the public's help in locating her after she went missing. The manner of DeBoer's death has not been determined.
<span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif;">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."</span></span>