Heather Caras final autopsy report shows no foul play, drug use

LINTON, N.D. (KFYR) - Your News Leader has more information on the death of Heather Caras. She went missing in January, and her body was found in Emmons County in May.

The Sheriff’s Office sent out a news release on the final results of the autopsy.

That report confirms what investigators have believed all along: there was no foul play in this case.

This information comes after Caras’ friends and family have wondered for months about what might have happened to the woman.

In late January, 39-year-old Caras went missing after leaving her home and driving away alone, leaving two teenage sons with special needs.

Caras’ abandoned vehicle was located 15 miles west of Linton near Beaver Bay along Lake Oahe.

The North Dakota Bureau of Investigation (ND BCI) and the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) conducted multiple searches over a few weeks and found no body.

A farmer finally found Caras’ body on May 25 in a field approximately three miles southeast of where her vehicle was abandoned.

The Emmons County Sheriff reports the autopsy is final. It found that “there were no injuries or trauma that would have caused her death and no drugs were found in her system that would have led or contributed to her death via an overdose.”

The sheriff told us that investigators believe Caras was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time. He wrote in the press release: “While a tragedy, this incident highlights the importance of mental health issues in our community.”

The case will remain open in case more information comes to light.

The sheriff also wants to remind people that if they are experiencing any mental health issues, they can get help by dialing or texting 988.