LAS VEGAS — The Clark County coroner’s office ruled Tuesday that 25-year-old professional golfer Erica Blasberg’s death was a suicide.
Blasberg died May 9 at her home in Henderson, about 15 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip. She was found with a plastic bag secured over her head.
Henderson police said that while no foul play is suspected, they have issued a misdemeanor arrest warrant for Dr. Thomas Hess on obstruction charges. Police said Hess, who discovered Blasberg’s body, removed items from the scene, including a suicide note. The contents of the note haven’t been disclosed.
Hess turned himself in to authorities, was booked into jail and released about 35 minutes later, after posting $637 in bail Tuesday afternoon.
David Mincavage, an assistant city attorney in Henderson, said the nonviolent misdemeanor charges against Hess carry a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. Henderson police spokesman Keith Paul declined to say whether additional charges were possible.
The coroner’s office said Blasberg died of suicide due to asphyxia, coupled with the presence of toxic levels of prescription medication in her system, including prescription headache, cough, pain and anti-anxiety medications.
The drugs in Blasberg’s system included butalbital, te- mazepam, alprazolam, codeine, hydrocodone and tramadol, according to the coroner, but Nevada law doesn’t permit the release of details on the amounts of medication.
“While asphyxia was the primary cause of death, the presence of prescription drugs in Ms. Blasberg’s system was a significant factor,” coroner Mi- chael Murphy said.
A 911 call from Hess that summoned police came from the house, and Blasberg was alone when officers arrived, police said. The death investigation was complicated, police said, because Hess admitted altering the scene — including the removal of the note indicating Blasberg took her own life — and he stopped cooperating with detectives.
In a 911 call obtained from police, Hess said he came to the house to check on her after she didn’t leave for a tournament in Birmingham, Ala.
“I called her yesterday. She was supposed to be leaving for a golf tournament but she didn’t,” an agitated Hess said on the call. “She picked up the phone and she sounded intoxicated at that time.”
Hess said Blasberg had consumed a “couple drinks” and was sad the night before her death but didn’t indicate she wanted to kill herself.
Mel Blasberg recently said his daughter spoke of a connection to Hess that extended beyond the normal doctor-patient relationship, but he did not know whether they were romantically involved.
