http://www.nwfdailynews.com/archive/news/010728news4.html



Aide's death still a mystery


Blood test results and an autopsy were
By unable to reveal Lori Klausutis' cause of death.

By AMBER BOLLMAN, Daily News Staff Writer

An autopsy and blood tests have not revealed why 28-year-old Lori Klausutis
died, Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Berkland said Friday.

Nothing in the blood tests showed how Klausutis died seven days ago, Berkland
said. The autopsy also was not conclusive, though the medical examiner did
say that there was no evidence of foul play.

"This turns over several puzzle pieces in the case of her death and reveals
more of the picture," Berkland said. But it still does not reveal the entire
scenario.

Klausutis, of Niceville, was an aide to U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough and was
found dead in the congressman's Fort Walton Beach office on July 20.

Berkland said the next step in determining the cause of Klausutis' death will
be to examine and run tests on tissue samples under the microscope.

He said his office has received many of Klausutis' medical records, some from
out of state, but has not yet had a chance to examine them in detail.

Klausutis was involved in a serious traffic accident as a teenager, Berkland
said.

"She had a past medical history that was significant, but it remains to be
seen whether that played a role in her death," Berkland said. "It may be a
contributory factor or it may mean nothing."

Berkland could not speculate Friday about when further examinations would be
complete or when a cause of death might be established.

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