DC - Ashley Turton, 37, lobbyist, found dead in burning car, 10 Jan 2011

[Missizzy]

Very interesting . I'm sure the Mister will be intrigued as he's shaking his head no. We've had 2002, M20, 3, 5 and 7 series ranging from the mid 70's to 2008 and he's worked on them all (except the 7 series and let's not go there).

But would the headlights get hot enough to cause the antifreeze to catch fire? That's what I do not understand.

As for the being drunk, I can surely see the woman celebrating the night before the big day but one would think that she would have exercised a bit of restraint until it was a done deal. But to still be THAT drunk at 5 am? And to have packed and gotten herself into the car? I can see a medication issue far before I can accept her being drunk.

Does anyone know the age of her children? I've heard them described as all under the age of five years. Was she nursing and pumping breast milk? If so, I find it really harder to believe.

 

[dmander]

For anti-freeze to reach flash point, the water has to boil off. This would mean a very warm engine. That is, running for awhile.

What if Ashley was placed in the car unconscious and the engine left running? The original intent was CO2 asphyxiation? But something went wrong, maybe she woke up for a second, into gear and passed out again?

 

[tiredblondy]

For anti-freeze to reach flash point, the water has to boil off. This would mean a very warm engine. That is, running for awhile.

What if Ashley was placed in the car unconscious and the engine left running? The original intent was CO2 asphyxiation? But something went wrong, maybe she woke up for a second, into gear and passed out again?

I think that's a good theory. I wonder if we'll ever know.

 

[Missizzy]

My question is whether her family, friends and co-workers accept the theory. They obviously are privy to much more info than we are. If they are all satisfied with the conclusions, I'm willing to let it go (shaking my head, all the way). But I'd like to know if they are still questioning the investigation.

 

[wendybtn]

http://www.politico.com/story/2011/02/aide-crashed-under-the-influence-049365

The cause of death was acute alcohol intoxication followed by passing out and breathing carbon monoxide and other toxins in the garage.

 

[Keefer]

My question is whether her family, friends and co-workers accept the theory. They obviously are privy to much more info than we are. If they are all satisfied with the conclusions, I'm willing to let it go (shaking my head, all the way). But I'd like to know if they are still questioning the investigation.

I really don't think they have any choice, when you think about it.

 

[kammiemc]

Even more ridiculous. They say now she was "acutely drunk" and that's why she was unconscious at the time of the fire and didn't get out...

So we are supposed to believe (by piecing the story together) that:

She got up and dressed/ready for this huge merger while DRUNK.

She got into the car, started pulling out, then pulled back in so she could maneuver around the car in the driveway better - while DRUNK, but hit the workbench, and punctured the radiator.

Then she passed out, then the headlights from the car got so hot they ignited the leaking antifreeze.

She was THAT drunk at 5am??? With a flight to catch? Wow. That would have been a big show, the star of the merger showing up fall down drunk... if she had made it to the airport. The flight from DC to Raleigh would have taken only an hour or so.

Yeah sure. Whatever.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Lobbyist-Died-of-Burns-Inhalation-of-Combustible-Products-in-SUV-Fire-115968329.html

The only way this would make a lick of sense is if she were a functioning alcoholic, but I would think her condition would have to be pretty advanced for her to be incredibly drunk that time of the morning. God knows it happens. And people become masters of hiding it. Masters.
A professional I know had to be escorted out his ad agency because he showed up so drunk in the AM. He had two little kids. Another mom I know would be two bottles of wine in before dropping her kids off at school.
Times of stress, or even excitement can be triggers to binge, and alcoholics do most of their drinking alone (including while others are asleep).
Not saying this was the case with this woman. But it absolutely does happen, and professional, successful, good people are not exempt from the risks of alcoholism and progressively losing control of their lives. Anyway, just something to consider. (Although that would be a very creative coverup!!! I wouldn't doubt it! But, without any other info, it seems that drunk is actually a possibility.)

ETA: I don't understand the car stuff or the probability of what happened on that respect. I was just talking about the alcohol, FYI!

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[kammiemc]

http://www.politico.com/story/2011/02/aide-crashed-under-the-influence-049365

The cause of death was acute alcohol intoxication followed by passing out and breathing carbon monoxide and other toxins in the garage.

I didn't realize this case was from years ago before responding! I am curious if it was ever determined for sure that happened!


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[Blondie in Spokane]

Thanks for the update. I followed this story when it first happened but had forgotten so much. This post from coolmomof4 from the first page of the thread helped bring back the specifics:

"She apparently was heading to the airport for an early flight for a meeting. Some articles I read say that Progress energy where she was employed and Duke power were set to merge today in a 13 BILLION dollar deal that she was a part of. The story really bothers me."

None of this makes any sense - it is hard to believe that she would be drunk when she was leaving for the airport on the very day the huge merger was to take place.

I wonder what happened to the husband and kids who were left behind.

 

[kammiemc]

Thanks for the update. I followed this story when it first happened but had forgotten so much. This post from coolmomof4 from the first page of the thread helped bring back the specifics:

"She apparently was heading to the airport for an early flight for a meeting. Some articles I read say that Progress energy where she was employed and Duke power were set to merge today in a 13 BILLION dollar deal that she was a part of. The story really bothers me."

None of this makes any sense - it is hard to believe that she would be drunk when she was leaving for the airport on the very day the huge merger was to take place.

I wonder what happened to the husband and kids who were left behind.

I got curious and googled. But it would appear there was no new info after 2011. Really weird. $13 bil is a lot of money! Sad story. Beautiful woman.


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[wendybtn]

She actually was a lobbyist for Duke Energy. I am not sure how much expertise she contributed to an actual deal, besides campaign contributions, forbidden gifts and trips.

I spent a little time this weekend going to old cases and trying to update them if I could find any info.