Autopsy: 22-year-old was mauled to death by her own dogs

GOOCHLAND, Va. (AP) - The autopsy of a Virginia woman found dead in a wooded area says she was mauled to death by her dogs.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the Goochland Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday it’s closing the investigation into 22-year-old Bethany Lynn Stephens’ death in light of the results. Stephens was found last December near her father’s home in Goochland, about 35 miles from Richmond.

The report says the medical examiner found defensive wounds on Stephens’ hands and arms from “trying to keep the dogs away from her.” The report also cites evidence of animals chewing on her face, torso and arms after she died.

Sheriff Jim Agnew released a seven-page report on the investigation. He says the case will remain closed unless “somebody steps forward with some really strong evidence.”

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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com