Caregiver’s Death Called Suicide

Investigators think the death of a temporary caregiver was a suicide and that a 91-year-old woman died accidentally after exhaust fumes seeped into her home.

Helen A. Ferguson, 91, was found lying on the living room floor at 14604 E. 24th on Sunday. Lynn VanDebrake, 33, was found sitting in the driver’s seat of a running car in the garage.

An autopsy showed that both women died of carbon monoxide poisoning, Sheriff’s Lt. David Wiyrick said, adding that authorities will never be certain of circumstances surrounding their deaths.

A couple who usually cared for Ferguson, who was in failing health, found the bodies. The home smelled of automobile exhaust. The house and the garage are connected.

VanDebrake was caring for Ferguson while her livein caregivers were out of town for the weekend. She had cared for Ferguson on previous occasions as well.