http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3516780.html Dec. 10, 2005, 10:22PM Woman's death treated as suicide A large number of pills are found, with indications that she had taken many, police say By PAIGE HEWITT Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Though police said Saturday that they are treating chiropractor Melinda Superville's death as an "apparent suicide," the medical examiner's office has not yet ruled how she died. A "large quantity" of assorted pills was discovered at the scene, and physical evidence indicated that Superville, 43, had ingested a large number of them, Houston police Sgt. Nate McDuell said Saturday. A pistol was also found at the scene, but it had not been fired, and there was no sign of physical trauma to the body, police reported Friday. McDuell did not know whether a suicide note was found. The Harris County Medical Examiner's office said late Saturday it would not release a cause of death until Monday at the earliest. Superville's body was found in a vacant house in northwest Houston Friday afternoon, a week after she was last seen a few blocks away at the chiropractic business she owned with her husband, Tom, a fellow chiropractor. Superville, who was a graduate of Northbrook High in Spring Branch, disappeared Dec. 2. The keys to her car, house and office were found hanging from the lock in the door of the business at 2601 Antoine. Volunteers had been searching the area a few days before they and Melinda Superville's brother, Chris Breaz, discovered her body. Melinda's mother, Bette Breaz, said her daughter was "a bright light," a joyful woman who found fulfillment caring for her patients. Superville leaves behind a toddler son, currently being cared for by Breaz and an aunt. paige.hewitt@chron
the other thing that doesn't make sense is that i heard the live report from the investigator who was on the scene who reported a trauma to her head. now they're saying no signs of trauma to the body.
I thought that was odd, too. I checked with HPD after I got the release on it...they told me that a number of things could have indicated "blunt force trauma." He wouldn't say exactly what made them think there was, but he told me it could have been she fell to the floor before death...it could have been the state of decomposition...it could be a lot of things. The M.E. got there and decided there was no trauma, so that's what they're going with now. The M.E. still doesn't have a cause of death. They should have one by now...unless they're still trying to decide between suicide and homicide.
Looks like a sad ending for this one, too. Texas Equusearch found what they believe is Nate Hendrickson's body today in a pond in George Bush park, not far from where his car was found (West Oaks Mall.) The body has not yet been positively ID'd, but it is likely him. Looks like the body has been there for quite a while...and it appears to be a suicide.
