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The findings end a criminal investigation into her death.
Lisa A. Gerken, 43, died as a result of throat cancer in conjunction with head injuries sustained in a fall at home, according to medical records filed Nov. 17, Wabasha County Recorder Jeff Aitken said.
Wabasha Police Chief Dave Kruger confirmed the results of an autopsy performed more than a month ago.
“The investigation is complete,” he said.
No criminal charges will be filed.
According to police reports, a family member brought Gerken to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., Sept. 15, saying she had fallen in her single-story home. Kruger said doctors were alarmed by her injuries and contacted the Wabasha Police Department, which then contacted the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, to investigate the incident and determine if criminal charges were necessary.
Kruger said the investigation revealed Gerken was prone to falling because of a pre-existing medical condition, as originally reported by her family member. Gerken suffered from Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes abnormal formation of the skull and facial features.
Gerken slipped into a coma and died Oct. 6.
Aitken said a death certificate was filed Oct. 7 and was supplemented with medical reports last week.
He said those reports indicate Gerken died of “squamous cell carcinoma of larynx,” or throat cancer. The records also show Gerken’s “recent traumatic head injury” suffered in the fall, in conjunction with her Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, contributed to her death, Aitken said.
Sonny wrote on Nov 25, 2008 9:01 AM: