Woman found dead in Preble County had possible head trauma

Nick Graham / Staff

Nick Graham / Staff

A woman found dead in a ditch on the side of a Preble County road had possible trauma to her head and rug or carpet fibers on one of her arms, according to a sheriff’s office report.

Autumn Lowery, 33, of Wayne County, Indiana, was found by a passing motorist on Cox Road in New Paris on Sunday afternoon.

A deputy at the scene reported that Lowery had possible injuries on her head and arm.

“There was possible trauma to the back of the head and carpet or rug fibers were located on the left arm,” the report read.

The deputy also noted possible injuries to the left arm.

Lowery’s cause and manner of death have not been released at this time. The report listed her death as “nature unknown.”

A woman and man told deputies that they were driving around looking at fall scenery when they saw what appeared to be a body on the side of the road.

“They advised they called out to the person and there was no response," the report read. “They advised they stood there for a few minutes and did not observe any movement, so they called the sheriff’s office.”

In a 911 call, a woman told dispatchers that the woman, later identified as Lowery, was clothed and facedown in a ditch.

Deputies are continuing to investigate the death. We will update this story as more information is released.

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