I have finally gotten the results of the autopsy. This is something you can post on your website. It is not too good news:

I called the Coroner’s office and got the results of the autopsy on Sharon. I have not had the chance to speak with the physician who performed the actual autopsy, but spoke with one of the investigators, who read from the report. They have concluded the death was from natural causes, hypertensive cardiovascular disease and cerebral vascular disease.

Interestingly, earlier the physician had told us there was no evidence Sharon had died of a heart attack, nor that she had had an obvious stroke. Also, the fact is that Sharon did not have high blood pressure. I can only conclude that they were unable to figure out what Sharon died of. Either they didn’t look in the right places or they were unable to find evidence because decomposition and time interfered.

Having spoken with people who knew Sharon, I think she had been feeling poorly, at least off and on, for several months. If there is a lesson here, it is, perhaps, that we need to advocate for ourselves if we are not feeling good and to do our own research. I’m sure Sharon did what she could. We know she tried to get help by going to Kaiser on Friday night, but that they missed how serious it was, and she died two days later. Perhaps the real lesson here is “Carpe Diem.”

Shana Aucsmith