Klausutis' death not suspicious
The medical examiner said he is waiting to rule on the death until blood test
results are finished.
By AMBER BOLLMAN, Daily News Staff Writer
The medical examiner investigating the death of Lori Klausutis said Saturday
there is absolutely no evidence that the 28-year-old employee of U.S. Rep. Joe
Scarborough was a victim of "foul play."
Associate Medical Exam-iner Dr. Michael Berkland will announce how Klausutis
died on Wednesday.
He is waiting for blood test results and is continuing his investigation into
her medical history.
"It would be foolish for me to release the cause of death without the toxicology
results in my hand because that one little piece of the puzzle can make all the
difference in the investigation," said Berkland, who completed an autopsy on
Klausutis' body Saturday. "But there is still no suspicion of foul play."
Klausutis, of Niceville, was found dead on the floor of Scarborough's Fort
Walton Beach branch office at about 8 a.m. Friday when a couple arrived at the
office for an appointment. Berkland said it is likely that Klausutis died
sometime Thursday afternoon or evening.
"She had been dead for quite awhile before she was found," Berkland said
Saturday. "Based on the physical evidence, I feel comfortable moving the time of
her death back to the previous day."
Klausutis' death was likely accidental or the result of natural causes. Berkland
said it is unlikely that her death was a suicide, but will not rule that out
until the blood tests are returned.
"There is no evidence at all that this was an intentional act, but we can't rule
it out just yet," Berkland said.
Toxicology reports, performed at a laboratory in Gainesville, will reveal the
presence of any drugs or other unnatural substances in Klausutis' body, Berkland
said.
"I've been cautioning people against saying she died of natural causes because
there could have been something present in her system that we can't find until
we get those results," he added.
Berkland said Klausutis had been involved in a serious car accident as a
teenager and still suffered from some lingering medical problems, but it is
unknown whether those conditions played a role in her death.
Many of her medical records are from another state and Berkland is waiting to
review those as well before making an announcement.
Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Steve Hogue said he is also awaiting toxicology
and medical examiner's reports, though the department's preliminary
investigation revealed nothing suspicious inside Scarborough's office.
Officers found no signs of a struggle, break-in or robbery, Hogue said.
Klausutis had worked as a constituent services coordinator for Scarborough,
R-Pensacola, since May 1999. Her responsibilities included handling appointments
and walk-in visits from local residents.
One other employee, Lois Hoyt, worked from Scarborough's Fort Walton Beach
office. Hoyt was not in the office at the time of Klausutis' death and could not
be reached for comment Saturday. Friends of Klausutis said that they believed
Hoyt had been out of state on vacation for several days.
Scarborough also could not be reached for additional comment Saturday after
expressing regrets about Klausutis' death the day before.
Lori's husband, T.J. Klausutis, would not comment on his wife's death Saturday,
but friends remembered her as a woman with a consistently positive attitude
about life.
"She was a very diligent person who cared a lot about her job, her schooling,
but most of all, about her family," said Mary Potthast, a friend who served
alongside Klausutis on the executive board of the Emerald Coast Young
Republicans.
Klausutis had served as president of the Young Republicans but stepped down last
month to devote more time to her education. She continued her involvement with
the organization as treasurer.
"She was always sweet, bubbly, caring and considerate," said Potthast, who had
known Klausutis for almost four years.
Potthast said Klausutis, an avid runner who frequently competed in races with
the Northwest Florida Track Club, was "the picture of health."
Though Potthast said Klausutis had mentioned having mild seizures during her
youth, she didn't believe Klausutis was taking any medications on a regular
basis.
In addition to her work with the Young Republicans, Klausutis was also active in
the Fort Walton Beach Jaycees and the Saint Mary's Catholic Church choir.
Joey Ferreira, music director at the church, said Klausutis was beloved within
the choir and the congregation.
"Everytime I saw her, she had a smile on her face," Ferreira said. "She helped
out with everything and was always very people-friendly."
Ferreira remembered one particular Mass when the priest singled Klausutis out
for having "the voice of an angel," drawing applause and praise from the entire
congregation.
"I really can't think of anyone else I've known who was more pleasant to be
around," Ferreira said.