CPD: Woman died from natural causes, suffered post-mortem injuries from dogs
LIVE NOW
- Woman died from natural causes related to heart issues; dogs caused post-mortem injuries, not the cause of death.
- CPD corrected initial public reports of dog mauling, emphasizing it waits for autopsy results before releasing information.
Columbus Police Department is correcting public reports regarding the death of 68-year-old Evelyn Farmer, who was found deceased inside her home in the 4800 block of Josephine Street on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
According to police, initial speculation that Farmer died as a result of a dog mauling was incorrect.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled that Farmer died from natural causes related to heart issues, confirming she was already deceased before any animal activity occurred. The ruling confirmed that her death was not caused by a dog attack.
Officers discovered Farmer in the living room of her home. Police say her dogs caused visible injuries after her death, and PAWS Humane Society removed multiple dogs from the residence.
Due to the condition of the scene and the victim’s known medical history, officers treated the situation as a death investigation, which is standard procedure when it is not immediately clear whether a person was already deceased before other factors, such as animal activity, took place.
CPD says it immediately requested an autopsy through the Coroner’s Office because of the circumstances. However, the department says, that despite that request, public statements were made to media outlets claiming Farmer died from a dog mauling. The department says those statements did not come from CPD and were not supported by verified findings.
“The autopsy results reinforce why the Columbus Police Department waits for confirmed facts before releasing information of this nature,” the department stated.
“Investigators handle death investigations,” police said. “While medical examiners determine the cause of death whenever there is uncertainty.”
CPD said it will continue to follow long-standing procedures: thoroughly investigate scenes, secure evidence, and rely on official medical examiner rulings before drawing conclusions or releasing unverified information to the public.
Related stories
LocalMISSING: Columbus police seeking public’s help locating missing 17-year-old
LocalColumbus Public Works to host hazardous household waste recycling event Saturday
LocalMISSING: Columbus police searching for missing 28-year-old woman
LocalBREAKING: Body recovered after man went missing while fishing near Columbus
LocalFrom Combat Pilot to Trailblazing Judge: John D. Allen’s legacy lives on in Columbus as new judicial center opens