Woman’s death ruled a homicide
Doty:?Cause of death not being released
FORT DODGE – The death of a woman found a week ago in the Caldwell Building at 5 S. 11th St. in Fort Dodge has been ruled a homicide by the state medical examiner’s office.
The woman was identified as Lorri Alexander, 50, of Fort Dodge.
Fort Dodge Police Chief Kevin Doty said that while the death has been ruled a homicide, exactly how the victim died will not be released at this time.
Alexander’s remains were found early on the morning of Dec. 29 after a report of an unresponsive woman was called in to the Webster County Law Enforcement Center.
Once police and medical personnel arrived on the scene they determined that she had died before their arrival.
“She was in an empty apartment that was under renovation,” Doty said.
Doty said that the homicide is not believed to be a random event and that there is no threat to the community.
In addition, Doty said, the case appears not to be related to the recent shooting death of Donald Preston, 51, of Fort Dodge, whose body was found in a field southwest of Fort Dodge on Dec. 26.
That case has also been ruled a homicide.
“While they happened within a week of each other,” Doty said, “the investigators are saying they’re not (related).”
Preston was last seen by family in Fort Dodge on Dec. 22, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
His body was found in a field near a curve on Webster County Road P51.
Webster County sheriff’s deputies who investigated said it appeared that Preston had been in the field overnight.
Alexander’s death brings the number of homicides in Webster County to two for 2016.
Doty said the Fort Dodge Police Department is working closely with the DCI on the Alexander case.
He asked that anyone with information on the woman’s activities or who may have seen her before Dec. 29 contact the Fort Dodge Police Department.
Anyone with information can also call the Webster County Crime Stoppers at 573-1444. Anonymous tips can also be sent online at wccrimestoppers.com or by texting “LEC” and the tip to 274637.