2nd Autopsy Done In 1989 Death Of Teen
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Olivia Jane Ward`s body has been exhumed
for a second autopsy 15 years after she was buried in the Canaan
Cemetery in Searcy County.
Her parents have questioned official explanations of their
16-year-old daughter`s death. Ron and Mona Ward contend that state
and county investigtors erred during the investigation.
The girl was buried in 1989 after she died during a party with
schoolmates at a cabin in the woods. The official cause of death
was a broken neck from falling off a porch that was less than 10
inches off the ground.
The Wards asked for another autopsy last month from Circuit
Judge Charles Clawson Junior of Conway. Searcy County Sheriff Jerry
Loggins doesn`t see any need to reopen the case, but said he would
if the autopsy points to the need for more investigation.
