By Heather Lynn Peters
Muskegon Chronicle
MUSKEGON COUNTY— A preliminary autopsy report has provided little information about the mysterious death of a jail inmate who walked away from a community service assignment in January.
Authorities at this point have not ruled out foul play, Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler said Monday.
Preliminary autopsy information indicates Andrea Lee Mura, 29, suffered “no obvious internal or external trauma,” Roesler said. A motorist discovered Mura’s body alongside an Egelston Township road on Feb. 11.
Authorities now are awaiting results of a toxicology test to determine whether drugs or alcohol were in her system, Roesler said.
Mura, of Cedar Creek Township, was serving time for second-degree retail fraud and was part of the county’s “pay it back” program, which allows inmates to perform community service during the day and return to the jail at night, Roesler said.
On Jan. 8, during her community service at Muskegon County Vector Control, 1300 E. Keating -- the county’s animal shelter -- Mura took a lunch break and didn’t return, Roesler said.
“We are continuing to look for anyone who may have had contact with her after she left the animal shelter,” Roesler said.
Sheriff’s officials contacted her mother right away, Roesler said. Her mother said she had not seen Mura, but that she had a drug problem and ongoing issues with a boyfriend, Roesler said.
Authorities were notified countywide, and on Jan. 13 a warrant was issued for Mura’s arrest, Roesler said.
Nearly a month later, her body was found.
Copyright 2009 Muskegon Chronicle