Woman, 23, found dead in bathtub

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — It will be several weeks before authorities know what caused the death of a Poplar Bluff woman found dead Saturday in her bathtub.

An autopsy was performed Monday on Tasha Endsley by Dr. Michael Zaricor at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Mo., according to Butler County Coroner Larry Cotrell.

"There was no indication of foul play in this death," Cotrell said. "Ms. Endsley did have medical and medication issues that will be a major consideration.

"The cause of death will be determined by the toxicology examination."

Cotrell expects the toxicology report is still "several weeks away." Authorities learned of the 23-year-old's death when officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department were sent to her residence in the 900 block of Henderson Street at about 9:40 p.m. Saturday.

Upon his arrival, Patrolman Steve Nance contacted Endsley's husband, Ashley James Endsley, who reported coming home from work with their two children.

"He went back outside to retrieve some bags and brought them into the residence," Nance said in his report. "Once inside, he heard water running in the bathroom.

"He went into the bathroom and observed Tasha submerged under the water in the bathtub."

At that point, Ashley Endsley told Nance he pulled his wife from the bathtub and attempted to wake her.

Ashley Endsley then went next door to have a neighbor call for an ambulance before returning to his home and beginning CPR.

Tasha Endsley subsequently was taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead by a doctor.