By Khalida Sarwari
Carbon monoxide poisoning killed a woman who was found dead in her home in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Tuesday night after being reported missing over the weekend, a sheriff’s detective said today.
Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputies found the woman, identified as Jessica Beerli, 36, shortly before 11 p.m. in her home in a remote area near Summit Road, Detective Steve Plaskett said.
Deputies also found two dead dogs that belonged to her, Plaskett said.
An autopsy today revealed that Beerli died as a result of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, Plaskett said. He said the cause was likely a propane-powered appliance inside the home.
The dogs likely died for the same reason, he said.
Plaskett said Beerli had been reported missing to San Jose police by her sister in Wyoming. Beerli’s family called police on Sunday saying that they were concerned because they had not heard from her in a few days, San Jose police Officer Jose Garcia said.
Police determined that Beerli lived in San Jose at one point, but had moved to Santa Cruz County.