Official: Snowden's Death 'Likely' Suicide
Description:
A month after Monique Snowden was found dead in King County, Wash., the local Sheriff's Office for the first time gave an indication that the trainer's death was "likely a suicide."
Though the cause and manner of Snowden's death is still officially pending investigation according to the King County Sheriff's Office and the county's Medical Examiner's Office, Sheriff's Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West said Aug. 18 the case is "inactive" and awaiting "forensic results," specifically phone records.
"At this point, there's nothing suspicious to indicate foul play," West said. "It's likely a suicide, but before we make the official determination, we want to make sure we have all the facts."
Snowden was found dead July 18 in the Green River below the Kummer Bridge, which sits in an unincorporated area of King County, between the cities of Black Diamond and Enumclaw in Washington. A day before, her budding star trainee, Heidi Nelson's The Chilli Man, broke down in the Emerald Express Stakes and had to be euthanized at Emerald Downs.
BALAN: Snowden Found Dead After Prospect's Breakdown
The 2-year-old Trappe Shot gelding won his debut at Emerald Downs by an overwhelming 11 1/2 lengths, and Nelson reached an agreement to sell The Chilli Man to Dean and Patti Reeves following his run in the Emerald Express.
West also indicated the investigation is "at a standstill" and that its completion "will (take) a while."