Lowndes Coroner issues report on woman's death

VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) - Back in May, the Valdosta Police Department released the identity of a woman whose body was found in a vacant house on Westwood Drive.

Billie Joann Boyd, 42, was reported missing on May 23.

On Thursday, the Lowndes County Coroner, Austin Fiveash, issued a statement on his investigation, saying that the cause of death is listed as accidental.

"The Coroners investigation into the death of Billie Boyd has concluded. After reviewing the findings at the scene, autopsy, toxicology, and consultation with the detectives at the Valdosta Police Department the manner of death has been ruled Accidental.

The cause of death has been ruled ‘mixed drug toxicity’. I personally believe that positional asphyxia was likely a contributing factor.   

Autopsy confirmed no injuries or trauma to the body. We currently have no evidence to support nor suggest any criminal wrong doing or foul play. The question as to why she entered this storage room is one we will likely never be able to answer because only she knows why. We do have a few hypothesis as to why but again, only she knows for sure.

We focused our efforts on determining cause and manner of death and ruling out other scenarios. I want to reassure the people in that area that this was an isolated incident and I see no reason the community should be alarmed. The great working relationship between the Coroners Office and the Valdosta Police Department enabled both teams to work together and bring this case to a close as accurately and quickly as possible for the family as well as the community.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Boyd. Losing a loved one is a life changing event and we work diligently to find answers for the family. Often, families cannot begin to accept and grieve until they understand what happened. I feel we have those answers in this case.”

Austin J. Fiveash, Coroner

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