***UPDATE*** The Coroner's Office has identified the woman found deceased as Kirsten Dolenec, 44, of Clovis.  A cause of death is pending.  Investigators are awaiting the results of a toxicology test.

Shortly after 7:00 am Wednesday, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers received a call from a motorist passing through the 25000 block of Tollhouse Road.

The caller stated that a woman was inside of a red Ford Taurus parked on the shoulder of the road and she may be dead. Deputies were dispatched to the area to check on the welfare of the woman and discovered that she was in fact deceased.

Homicide detectives later responded to the scene.  They are considering this to be a questionable death for several reasons: Where the woman was found, her positioning inside of the car and her age.  The victim is believed to be in her early to mid-40s.  Some witnesses reported seeing the car parked in the area for a considerable amount of time; possibly since early this morning or even late last night.

 

The woman is now at the Coroner’s Office, where she is scheduled to have an autopsy.  A forensic patholigist will work to identify the woman, determine a cause of death and identify previous medical conditions.

This is an ongoing investigation and will continue to be considered a questionable death until the evidence proves otherwise.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Sgt. Joe Smith at (559) 600-8200 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).


Contact Information/Tony Botti/PIO

Tony Botti
Public Information Officer
(559) 600-8137
Tony.Botti@fresnosheriff.org