Homicide investigators have ruled out murder in the death of a 31-year-old mother of four who was found with a ligature around her neck inside her Table Rock Road home in May.

Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau said the death of Maria Victoria McDonald was a tragic accident. Related Stories

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Medford woman's death called suspicious

"After a long investigation, we have ruled out homicide as the cause of death," Budreau said.

Based on findings of homicide investigators and the state medical examiner, McDonald's death was caused by a shirt wrapped around her neck, which cut off her oxygen supply.

McDonald had fashioned a makeshift neck brace to alleviate pain from an injury suffered in a car accident months before she died, Budreau said.

"We believe she might have tied the brace too tight and cut off her air, causing her to pass out," Budreau said.

McDonald left behind four children, ages 3 to 11.

She was found dead by investigators May 15 in her apartment in the 2300 block of Table Rock Road.

"We treated the death as a possible homicide and called in the area's major death investigation team," Budreau said.

Investigators spent two days searching for clues inside the home. They found no evidence of suicide or that McDonald was murdered.

"The home was locked from the inside and we found no evidence that anyone forced their way in," Budreau said.

More than 20 investigators spent numerous hours working the case, Budreau said.

"We didn't want a possible murderer on the loose in our community," Budreau said. "We wanted to be sure this was not a homicide. Sometimes the crime scene only tells part of the story. We don't take anything for granted in these cases."

Investigators spoke to people close to McDonald who said she was complaining of neck pain and had planned to go to the doctor. She most likely fashioned the brace to tide her over until she could see a doctor, Budreau said.

"This was a tragic accident," he said.The childrens' father told the Mail Tribune that he planned on raising the children himself. He and McDonald were divorced at the time of her death.

— Chris Conrad

Submitted on 07/19/2012

Submitted by: sven Nelaimischkies
Reference: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120719/NEWS07/207190340

Copyright © 2012 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
So this woman suffered from neck pain from a car accident and fashioned her own makeshift neck brace and apparently tied it too tightly? Sounds like a winner in my book. I certainly wouldn't wait months to see a doctor if I was suffering back or neck pain from an accident. And I certainly wouldn't fashion a makeshift neck brace, especially when you can buy one at almost any pharmacy or drug store for less than $20. Thanks!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award

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