The death of 77-year-old Laverla Kistler was listed as "indeterminate" on an autopsy report, according to J. Weston Miller, Benton County coroner.
Miller also reported that no toxicology tests were possible due to the condition of the body. The Benton County Coroner commented that it is not unusual for the results of an autopsy report to be completed several weeks to a couple of months after a body is submitted for autopsy.
Kistler's body was found in Benton County on July 3, after extensive search. The Cooper County resident had been last seen about June 10 in California. She was found near her minivan in a remote area in Benton County. Her dog was reported to have been found alive in the same area and was reported to have been in good condition.
As soon as it was known she was missing, a Silver Advisory was issued by Cooper County. According to the Cooper County Sheriff's Office, with no leads, all that could really be done was to expand the search area outward with information to other jurisdictions. Apparently that led to the discovery of the van and the body in a remote area of Benton County.