From Staff Reports
The death of a woman from Murchison is being investigated by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department.
Ellen Kastner, 59, died Wednesday at East Texas Medical Center, Athens after being brought to the facility unconscious and unresponsive on Aug. 6. Deputy Tracy Dunnington took a report of a suspicious death concerning the case and Precinct 6 Justice of the Peace Milton Adams ordered an autopsy, Sheriff’s Department reports stated.
Dunnington reported the hospital staff contacted Adult Protective Services following the death due to suspicion that neglect may have contributed to Kastner’s deteriorated condition.
Kastner arrived at the hospital with severely infected, open wounds on her body, HCSO reports stated.
Investigators learned Kastner had been transported to the hospital after she was discovered at her residence sitting in her own waste. Authorities said it appeared Kastner had been in that condition for several days.
Sheriff’s Department reports did not specify whether the woman lived alone.
The investigation into the death is continuing, as HCSO awaits results of the autopsy from the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.
