FBI brought in, but Neah Bay death likely a suicide

NEAH BAY — Makah tribal police and the FBI are investigating a death on the reservation.

As of late Saturday, authorities said it was likely the death was a suicide.

Police Chief Sam White said a woman in her late 40s or early 50s was found dead in her home Thursday evening.

At first, authorities suspected a homicide, White said, “due to the nature of the way it [the body] appeared when we first responded.”

White declined to elaborate but said the preliminary investigation points to the death being caused by suicide.

“Based on the crime scene and the preliminary results of the autopsy, we’re primarily leaning toward suicide,” White said.

No cause of death has been determined, he said, and the investigation remains open.

He said tribal police are required to notify the FBI whenever a major felony is suspected to have occurred.

________

Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.

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