Coroner: Lexington County Missing Woman Died of Natural Causes
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) – Officials have concluded their examination of the case surrounding Elena Moore, a Lexington County woman whose disappearance earlier this summer captivated local neighbors and law enforcement. Following a press conference on Friday, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher announced that Moore died of natural causes, putting an end to the physical uncertainty that accompanied her missing persons report.
The autopsy revealed no signs of traumatic injury or physical trauma. Instead, Fisher said the cause of death was linked to various previously diagnosed heart conditions, including an irregular heartbeat. The pathologist who performed the examination specializes in cardiovascular health at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Coroner Details Autopsy Findings and Health History
Fisher provided details about Moore’s medical background with the permission of her family. Records indicated behavioral issues and alcohol problems dating back to her teenage years. Moore was also diagnosed with mental health disorders in 2025.
The findings offer clarity on a case that began in early June when Moore was first reported missing. At the time, neighbors captured footage on doorbell cameras showing her appearing confused at an apartment complex, picking up a delivery driver’s food and looking through packages.
Key Takeaway: The autopsy found no signs of traumatic injuries or physical trauma. Coroner Margaret Fisher attributes the death to previously diagnosed heart conditions, including an irregular heartbeat.
After Moore was located during the search, she was admitted to an unnamed inpatient mental health facility. Fisher said she was diagnosed there with an “unspecified psychosis” and was in a “full mental crisis” at the time of admission.
A significant point of discrepancy emerged during the investigation regarding her medication. Fisher said that Moore did not appear to be receiving her prescribed heart medication while in the facility. Although the facility claimed to have administered the medicine, it was not detected in Moore’s toxicology report.
Mental Health Crisis and Discrepancies in Care
The report sheds new light on Moore’s mental health status leading up to her death. Fisher noted that Moore was diagnosed with unspecified psychosis and described her condition as a full mental crisis upon admission to the unnamed inpatient facility.
A critical question remains regarding whether Moore received her prescribed heart medication during her stay. The facility stated that she was medicated, but toxicology reports did not detect the medicine in her system. This discrepancy highlights potential gaps in care monitoring during a period of acute mental health instability.
Moore was released five days after being admitted. Her husband, Brannon Slice, was contacted and offered the chance to pick her up personally. However, Fisher said the facility arranged a taxi for Moore instead.
Final Days Timeline: From Release to Discovery
The period between Moore’s release from the facility and the discovery of her body was marked by erratic behavior and multiple encounters with the community and law enforcement. The following timeline outlines the sequence of events as detailed by the coroner:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Release | Released from inpatient mental health facility 5 days after admission; facility arranged taxi transport instead of family pickup. |
| CVS Pharmacy | Taxi took Moore to a CVS on Sunset Boulevard, her former workplace. She left her wallet behind and reportedly left with four bottles of wine and water, promising to pay later. |
| Police Call | Moore called police claiming the taxi driver had been stalking her, but responding officers found neither Moore nor the driver. |
| Final Sightings | Seen at a Planet Fitness and nearby parking lot along Sunset Boulevard. Later seen crossing North Lake Drive, near where her body was found. |
During these final hours, Moore was reportedly seen crossing North Lake Drive, the area near where her body was eventually located. She was also alleged to have taken clothes that did not belong to her from Planet Fitness, along with an AirPod.
Moore’s toxicology report showed a blood-alcohol level of .089. Fisher cautioned that this finding could not be interpreted in isolation, noting that excessive heat during the time could have contributed to the result, as could the wine she took from CVS.
Investigation Status and Official Response
The investigation into Moore’s death has clarified some questions while leaving others open. Fisher confirmed that Moore’s husband, Brannon Slice, was never criminally implicated in the investigation. This statement addresses earlier speculation regarding his involvement in the case.
On the federal level, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) closed its missing persons case regarding Moore. However, it remains unclear whether the agency has formally closed its investigation specifically into Moore’s death.
WIS has reached out to SLED for further information regarding the status of the death investigation. As of this report, officials have provided no additional comment beyond the coroner’s press conference.
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