But surely an autopsy would've turned up something like her being roofied or drugged. And you'd think she'd have the usually bruises and broken fingernails of somebody fighting for her life.

That's assuming there was an autopsy, though. Given the constraints on public resources right now, I suspect they're only done when there's a reason to suspect foul play. If there was no evidence of abuse before her death, I doubt the cops are going to to look that closely.

And for all we know she had a history of fainting, or some other condition that wasn't mentioned outside the family (like an addiction to painkiller), but that might have come into play. In those circumstances, many families are not going to tell the full truth to everyone, but they might reveal it to the police if it means the difference between just getting on with the practicalities and being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Which is not to say your suspicions are wrong, but you don't have all the facts, either.

He finally left the Assemblies of God when he was told to preach against Smurfs.

That is a hilarious last straw. I mean, I imagine there are a lot more serious intolerances that would send me right over the edge, but... Smurfs.

SMURFS ARE THE ANTICHRIST!

Man, the Freak-Ass Church sure believed a lot of whack shit, but preaching against Smurfs wasn't one of them. I'm a little disappointed, truth be told.

I'm just waiting for someone to preach against cupcakes. That's when I'll rise up. ::nods::

That's assuming there was an autopsy, though. Given the constraints on public resources right now, I suspect they're only done when there's a reason to suspect foul play.

I don't think that's the case. Given my recentish experience with coroner's offices, though, it can take a long time before cause of death is well and truly determined, especially if toxicoloy part of the question (as I think it would be for a hot tub drowning victim). Fewer coroners, lab techs, etc. doesn't lead to fewer autopsies, just longer (much longer) turn around times. Five months is not too long a time for things to still be up in the air.

Worm in the apple. Ew, nature. Fortunately I caught it before I ate it.

A little extra protein with your fruit. Awesome.

What's worse than a worm in your apple?

Half a worm.

I heard a thing on Planet Money, and a quick google confirmed it, that autopsy rates in the US have gone down in the past half-century, and are quite low. The AMA has been campaigning for more, for public health reasons. My understanding is that if there's not a compelling reason for an autopsy, it's not done (and sometimes, not ordering one is the physician covering his/her ass)

eta: Ah. More detailed reading indicates that, at least in the 90s, the decline was in hospital, rather than coroner, autopsies, which is in line with -t's experience.

Score. My sister's dislike of coconut has resulted in my receiving a bag of really freaking good dark chocolate bars filled with coconut. They are "seconds" so the whole bag was a buck fifty! Dude. I'm glad this place is up in PA. And, finally, yum. (Don't feel bad for her - she got raspberry, which she does like).