Probe into death at Narconon facility expands to include two other deaths in past nine months
BY SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent
Thursday, July 26, 2012
7/26/12 at 7:28 AM
MCALESTER - Pittsburg County authorities said on Wednesday they are expanding their scope of investigation into the recent death of a 20-year-old Owasso woman at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation turned over its investigation in connection with the July 19 death of Stacy Murphy to the Pittsburg County authorities. Murphy died at Narconon Arrowhead, a nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation center located on Lake Eufaula near Canadian.
"After looking at the OSBI report and additional witness statements, the District Attorney's Office has requested the Sheriff's Office to further investigate," said Richard Hull, assistant district attorney.
"The District Attorney's Office requested all reports on all three victims," said Sheriff Joel Kerns, referring to two other deaths that occurred at the Narconon facility in the past nine months.
Hillary Holten, 21, of Carrollton, Texas, died April 11, and Gabriel Graves, 32, of Owasso, died Oct. 26.
Stacy Murphy's father, Robert Murphy, said his daughter would have been grateful that "law enforcement will continue to give full diligence in the investigation of her death ..."
Narconon Arrowhead has about 150 patients.
"We will continue to cooperate openly with any local and state agencies that are looking into these matters," said Gary Smith, Narconon Arrowhead director.
"We are waiting on toxicology reports and autopsy reports," Hull said. "It is a waiting game."
Hull said that after all the toxicology and autopsy reports are evaluated, the District Attorney's Office will decide what, if any, charges would be filed.
Murphy's and Holten's autopsy reports are pending, the state Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Wednesday. Graves' autopsy report lists his cause and manner of death as undetermined and unknown.
Another woman also died in connection with Narconon Arrowhead.
Kaysie Dianne Werninck, 28, died March 3, 2009, at a Eufaula hospital after she was transferred from the center. The Werninck family filed a lawsuit against the center in Pittsburg County District Court on June 1, 2010, and settled April 15, 2011. Terms of the settlement are confidential.
Original Print Headline: Probe into Narconon death to be expanded
Associated Images:
Narconon Arrowhead is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center located on Lake Eufaula near Canadian. Three of its clients have died there in the past nine months. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Stacy Murphy: The 20-year-old Owasso woman died July 19 at the Narconon Arrowhead facility. Her autopsy results are pending
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