Foul play ruled out in Gwinnett woman's death

Foul play has been ruled out as the cause of death in the case of a 53-year-old Buford woman found dead in her home earlier this week.

Gwinnett County police investigators initially ruled Linda "Karen" Higgins' death a homicide after her body was found by a family member. An autopsy by the Gwinnett County medical examiner completed Thursday, however, found that evidence of trauma on her body was likely caused by a family pet after her death, according to a statement from the examiner's office.

Authorities were waiting on toxicology reports before closing the case.

Police said a family member of Higgins became concerned on Tuesday when he hadn't heard from her in several days. Once he got to the house, in the 1000 block of Anthony Drive, he found the woman dead inside. Her husband, who is disabled, was also inside but could not get to a telephone to call for help. He was later taken to a hospital.

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