Police say missing woman's death a suicide

GARDEN RIDGE — Preliminary results of an autopsy on Leanne Bearden's remains indicate the Colorado woman who went missing nearly a month ago committed suicide and her death was caused by asphyxiation, police said Friday.

Garden Ridge Police Chief Donna O'Conner released a statement saying the initial findings indicate Bearden hanged herself, and that the police investigation was now closed.

“The final ruling is pending toxicology results,” O'Conner said in a release.

Bearden, 33, disappeared Jan. 17 after leaving her in-laws' Sumac Lane residence on what was expected to be a one-hour walk.

She and husband Joshua Bearden, 39, had been visiting his parents over the holidays before a planned return home to Colorado on Jan. 21.

“The investigative information indicates the death occurred a short time after she was seen leaving the residence for a walk,” O'Conner's statement said. “Our thoughts are with the Hecht and Bearden families as they grieve the loss of their loved one.”

Leanne Bearden went for a walk on 1/17/ 2014 at 1:00pm in Garden Ridge, and vanished. Leanne Bearden went for a walk on 1/17/ 2014 at 1:00pm in Garden Ridge, and vanished. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Police say missing woman's death a suicide 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

Extensive searches in the area by authorities and volunteers yielded no trace of the petite and athletic Bearden, who'd reportedly had trouble readjusting to life in the United States after completing a two-year, round-the-world trek with her husband.

The mystery of her whereabouts was fed by reported sightings of Bearden just outside Garden Ridge, a suburban community northeast of San Antonio. Later reports put her in Austin and possibly Laredo.

The riddle was resolved about noon Thursday when a homeowner in Garden Ridge found her remains in a thickly wooded area about a half mile from the house where her husband last saw her, belonging to his parents, Will and Sherrie Bearden.

“It's hard to understand how it took this long to find her. It just doesn't make sense,” said Jess Edwards, 82, who lives beside the lot that was swarmed by police Thursday.

Will Bearden declined comment when reached at home Friday before the autopsy findings were announced.

Comal County Justice of the Peace Susan Stacy, who ordered the autopsy, declined comment Friday except to say that she expects to receive final results in four to six weeks from Central Texas Autopsy in Lockhart.

A joint statement Thursday from the Beardens and Leanne's family described them as devastated to learn of her death.

“Leanne was a lovely and remarkable young woman and we will all miss her greatly,” it said.