FLINT, MI - Conspiracy theories abound after a Flint water plant worker and the woman at the center of a water lawsuit were found dead within days of each other.

However, investigators say any connections the deaths may have to the city's water crisis are so far unfounded.

Sasha Avonna Bell, one of the first of a growing number of people to file a lawsuit in connection to the Flint water crisis after she claimed that her child had been lead poisoned, was found dead April 19 in the 2600 block of Ridgecrest Drive at the Ridgecrest Village Townhouses. Sacorya Renee Reed was also found shot to death in the home.

Water Treatment Plant Foreman Matthew McFarland, 43, was found dead April 16 by a friend in his Otter Lake home.

Both cases drew international attention from major media outlets and conspiracy theorists alike.

Conspiracy-laden website Natural News claimed both deaths are part of a government cover-up trying to silence witnesses in the ongoing investigations into the water crisis, while BET posted a story claiming Bell's killing is "raising some concerns."

However, police say there is nothing to link Bell's death to her lawsuit.

Malek Emmanuel Thornton, 18, was charged and arraigned on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of open murder and felony firearm for Bell and Reed's deaths.

Thornton was Bell's ex-boyfriend, police said.

"There had been an on-going feud between Thornton and Bell for approximately one month prior to the homicides," said Flint police Capt. Leigh Golden. "The murders of Bell and Reed are not connected to the water lawsuit."

Bell's case was one of 64 lawsuits filed on behalf of 144 children by Stern's firm, New York-based Levy Konigsberg, and Flint-based Robinson Carter & Crawford.

The Bell case, however, played an important role in determining the future of the more than five dozen other lawsuits that were filed.

Initially, Bell's case and the others were filed in Genesee Circuit Court. However, they were transferred to U.S. District Court on a motion from one of the defendants, engineering company Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam.

However, Ann Arbor U.S. District Judge John Corbett O'Meara ruled April 13 that Bell's case should return to the state court claiming it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. The ruling also forced the other 63 cases to be returned to state court.

The lawsuit will continue and a representative will be appointed for Bell's child.

McFarland's death comes as Flint's water plant deals with news that Flint Utilities Manager Michael Glasgow is one of three men facing criminal charges in connection with the city's water crisis.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette's office confirmed that McFarland was previously interviewed as part of its ongoing investigation into the city's water crisis.

Lapeer County Sheriff Sgt. Jason Parks said there are no signs of foul play, but the case remains open.

An autopsy did not determine a cause of death and police are awaiting toxicology reports. Parks declined to comment further on the case until a cause of death is finalized.