CORONER’S office

The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensics Center issued the following statement Dec. 8 regarding the Audrey Penn investigation.

“On Sunday, September 17, 2017, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, Fogelsville barracks and the Salisbury Township Police Department initiated an investigation into a body being discovered in a drainage swale, at the intersection of Hamilton Boulevard and Kressler Road, in Lower Macungie Township. Deputy Coroner Jack Fliter pronounced the individual dead 3:44 p.m.

“The unidentified female was positively identified, through dental records, on Monday, September 18, 2017, as Ms. Audrey Penn.”

The coroner’s office stated an autopsy was performed Sept. 19 to determine the exact cause of death. At that time, the cause and manner of death was pending further forensic tests and investigation.

“Ms. Penn was reported missing from the Woodland Terrace at Oaks Senior Living Community, 1263 S. Cedar Crest Blvd, Salisbury Township, on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, sometime in the early morning hours. Her remains were recovered at the Hamilton Boulevard location, which was located approximately two miles from the Woodland Terrace facility.

“Due to the advanced stages of decomposition, an exact cause and manner of death could not be determined; however, there was no evidence of trauma or foul play.”