Elena Katherine Moore, a 39-year-old South Carolina fitness trainer, died from natural causes linked to a longstanding heart condition, authorities said Friday. Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said the autopsy found cardiac dysrhythmia with premature ventricular contractions and no evidence of trauma. Moore’s husband, Brannon Slice, was not considered a suspect or person of interest. The findings follow an investigation into Moore’s disappearance after she was released from a mental health facility in June.
| 1) | Cause of death linked to a longstanding heart condition |
| 2) | Autopsy finds no evidence of homicide or physical trauma |
| 3) | Coroner rejects speculation about Moore’s husband |
| 4) | Timeline shows mental health crisis before disappearance |
| 5) | Investigators traced Moore’s final known movements |
Cause of death linked to a longstanding heart condition
Fisher said Moore died from complications of cardiac dysrhythmia with premature ventricular contractions, an abnormal heart rhythm. Investigators reviewed medical records from throughout Moore’s life and found documentation of an irregular heartbeat dating back to when she was 14. Later records also noted cardiac arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia and hypertension.
The determination was announced nearly four months after Moore’s body was found. The conclusion identifies a natural medical cause rather than an injury or criminal act as the reason for her death.
Autopsy finds no evidence of homicide or physical trauma
The autopsy found no traumatic injuries, including broken bones, strangulation or evidence of sexual assault, according to the coroner. Toxicology testing detected alcohol but no other substances.
Fisher said authorities did not find evidence indicating that another person caused Moore’s death. She said investigators reviewed Moore’s known movements, medical history and mental health history while assessing the circumstances surrounding the case.
“We never saw anything that would indicate homicide. Nothing,” Fisher said.
Coroner rejects speculation about Moore’s husband
Fisher also addressed public speculation about Slice, who reported Moore missing to Lexington police on June 12. The coroner said he was never treated as a suspect or person of interest during the investigation.
Fisher said Slice repeatedly tried to obtain help for Moore during the mental health crisis that preceded her disappearance. She described him as the person who made repeated efforts to connect Moore with assistance through the relevant systems.
“The only person that really tried to help this girl to get her help through the system is her husband,” Fisher said. “He reached out. He tried many times to get her help.”
Timeline shows mental health crisis before disappearance
Fisher said Moore was involuntarily committed on June 5 after experiencing what she characterized as a severe mental health crisis. She remained at a mental health facility until June 11, when she was discharged.
Although Slice had offered to pick her up, the facility arranged for Moore to leave by taxi. Fisher later questioned why Moore had been discharged despite the documented psychiatric crisis.
“This whole situation would be different if somebody at that mental health facility … they all saw her medical, her mental crisis,” Fisher said. “But yet she was released.”
Investigators traced Moore’s final known movements
The taxi took Moore to a CVS on Sunset Boulevard in Lexington, where she had previously worked. Fisher said Moore entered the store and told a manager that the driver was stalking her and attempting to harm her. The manager contacted Lexington police, but Moore left before officers arrived.
The driver also entered the store looking for Moore after she did not return to the taxi. Later that evening, Slice told investigators that Moore checked into a Planet Fitness at 6:38 p.m. She was subsequently captured on surveillance video walking through a Publix parking lot on Old Cherokee Road.
Moore was last seen alive on June 11. Her body was found June 17, about six days after she disappeared. Authorities’ final determination followed the review of the autopsy, toxicology results, medical records, surveillance information and the timeline of her release and movements.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Moore died from complications of cardiac dysrhythmia with premature ventricular contractions. |
| 2 | The autopsy found no evidence of traumatic injury, sexual assault or homicide. |
| 3 | Her husband, Brannon Slice, was not considered a suspect or person of interest. |
| 4 | Moore disappeared after being discharged from a mental health facility on June 11. |
Summary
Authorities concluded that Moore’s death resulted from a documented heart rhythm disorder and found no evidence of criminal violence. The coroner’s account also clarified that Slice was not suspected and had attempted to secure help for Moore before she disappeared. The case highlights the unresolved questions surrounding her release from mental health care, while the medical and investigative findings classify her death as natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Elena Moore’s cause of death?
The coroner said Moore died from complications of cardiac dysrhythmia with premature ventricular contractions, a condition involving an abnormal heart rhythm.
Was Moore’s husband considered a suspect?
No. Coroner Margaret Fisher said Brannon Slice was never considered a suspect or person of interest.
When and where was Moore found?
Moore’s body was found in Lexington County on June 17, six days after she was last seen alive.
What did the autopsy show?
The autopsy found no evidence of traumatic injuries, strangulation or sexual assault. Toxicology detected alcohol but no other substances.
