Local Woman's Death Likely Due to Natural Causes

The death of a local woman this week appears due to natural causes.

54-year-old Laura Newton was found unresponsive by friends at her residence in a rural area west of Effingham just after 5pm Wednesday.  Emergency Medical Services were notified and found Newton dead.  The Effingham County Coroner's Office was contacted and responded and confirmed the death.

An autopsy was performed Thursday and the results determined that Newton likely died of natural causes.  The final determination is pending results of toxicology tests.