Cause of insurance examiner's death can't be determined

Charlotte, N.C. — An autopsy says the body of a state insurance investigator that was found in South Carolina in May was so badly decomposed that medical examiners can not determine how she died.

The autopsy report released Friday by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the body of Sallie Rohrbach, 44, of Angier, was wrapped partially in garbage bags when it was found. The report said that there were no signs of skull or neck injury and that the body was identified with dental records.

Michael Howell, 40, owner of the Dilworth Insurance Agency, has been charged with murder. Officials said Rohrbach was sent from Raleigh to Howell's Charlotte office to examine his books.

Soon after Rohrbach's body was found, sources within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department told CBS affiliate WBTV that she died from blunt force trauma and that the slaying occurred inside Howell's office.

Police seized a stick from the office as possible evidence in early June, according to a search warrant. Testing produced positive results for traces of blood on a carpet and computer cord.

Rohrbach disappeared May 14, and her body was founded in a wooded area of York County, S.C., on May 20.

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WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ANYONE THAT HAS FOLLOWED THIS CASE. If this man does not go to trial and conviction because of this "no cause of death", I am sure that the law enforcement folks in Charlotte will be as devastated as the family after all their hard work. With the temperatures being what they were in South Carolina, and black garbage bags, I know what my trash can is like after 24 hours.....what about yours?

shirleyr1
September 19, 2008 6:43 p.m.

This terrible to happen to such an innocent person doing her job. that man needs to be put under the Jail.

dogsrule12cheek
September 19, 2008 5:52 p.m.

A body inside closed plastic bags in a warm (damp?) environment for a period of a week can decompose a LOT! It's absolutely ridiculous to "blame" someone for what Mother Nature can do to human tissue under such circumstances.

FE
September 19, 2008 5:30 p.m.

This is a shame.

teacher-mom
September 19, 2008 3:50 p.m.

She died because he killed her. It just stinks that, like mentioned before, with all the modern technology, we can't give this family the justice of knowing how that man killed this woman, and the justice of making darn sure he gets prosecuted for what he did. WHERE ARE THE VICTIMS RIGHTS? Our system is so busy trying to protect the accused, that the victim gets lost in the shuffle. Just plain wrong.