Woman Drowns In Rain Barrel Rescuing Kitten

KOAT TV7, Albuquerque ^ | January 7, 2008 | KOAT News

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE, N.M. -- A woman drowned when she apparently tried to retrieve a kitten from a 55-gallon rain barrel at her home southeast of Santa Fe.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano said 48-year-old Deborah Hill was found by her husband Sunday afternoon after he returned home from running errands. Solano said the couple had dragged the plastic barrel inside their home because they wanted to thaw ice that had formed in the barrel.

The barrel, which Solano said was tied to a door so it wouldn't tip, was about one-third full of water when the kitten fell in. Solano said Hill apparently was standing on something to reach down for the kitten when she slid in.

Detectives said the kitten is alive, and most likely climbed out over Hill.

[metmom]

The barrel, which Solano said was tied to a door so it wouldn't tip,

He probably had her *take a look* at something inside and tipped her in. Tied it down so it wouldn't tip over and let her live to tell about how he tried to murder her.

[AuntDebbysNiece]

Just so you know, that was my Aunt Debby. And I know for a fact that my Uncle Ben didn’t kill her. He’s a humble and good man. He loved Deborah to death. He wouldn’t do something like that. I wish people would just stop blaming him. It wasn’t murder. It was simply an accident.

[woofie]

Im sorry for your loss

[cherry]

yes, strange and sad......sometimes I feel just clumsy enough to do such a thing....the other night our old computer chair went backwards and it wouldn’t right itself....it was all I could do to grab the desk and pull.....

[brytlea]

I never want to think a husband killed a wife (I was a hold-out in the Lacy Peterson thing—got lots of flack for that one). So, I like to believe he didn’t do it and it was just a very unfortunate and weird accident. Can you answer some of the questions that have been brought up (since you came here to clear your Uncles name, or so it would seem)?

susie

[CedarDave]

o.k. guys, here is an update on this story from this morning's Journal. Only new information is presented:

Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano said his investigation is also not finished. "The autopsy has been done, but we are waiting for toxicology and organ testing before the investigation is complete," Solano said. But he added that, "based on the evidence so far, there has been no indication of foul play."

According to the Sheriff's Department report:
Hill found his wife "face down in the barrel in the fetal position, her feet not clearing the top of the barrel." After calling 911, "he attempted to get Deborah out of the barrel. He said he tipped the barrel over on its side and tried to pull Deborah out by her feet. Due to the small diameter of the hole (15 to 18 inches) in the top of the barrel, he was unsuccessful.

Solano said his e-mail inbox has been flooded by correspondence from people across the nation who disagree with his department's assessment that Hill's death was an accident. "Mostly from amateur CSI experts and medical doctors," Solano said. "For the most part, people don't believe our conclusions.

"There was this medical analyst from Mississippi who sent a list of questions she wanted answered," he said. Solano said that the evidence in the case so far is "irrefutable" and that most of the theories expressed by those who have contacted his office are without merit.

"There's been some allegations of foul play, and we've looked into them," Solano said. "But nothing has panned out."

Solano said his department would look into any new evidence that comes forward, but he stands by the conclusion that Posen Hill's death was a "tragic accident. Her hips went in and it made it harder for her to lift herself out," he said. "She had no leverage to pull herself up.

The entire story can be found here:

Family Recalls Bizarre Tragedy

A picture of the barrel is on the front page of today's journal. But is very small.

I did a google search and found one that is the same size (60 gallons) and color:

[CedarDave]

Ping to #46.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I wouldn’t want to try and pull myself out of that. Poor lady, a crappy way to go.

[CedarDave]

Ping to #46.

BTW, it was tied so their 4-yr old boy would not tip it over.

[angcat]

I still can’t comprehend this. She must have been thin.

[woofie]

They need warnings on those things

[CedarDave]

She must have been thin.

15 to 18 inches diameter = 47 to 56 inches circumference. Not that tight a squeeze for a fit lady going in, but very hard to get out if head first. The husband had to cut her out.

[woofie]

One last thought ...lets say someone (husband ) did away with the woman ....Is that any way to commit a murder?
It is so improbable it is more likely that it was an accident ..unless of course the butler did it

[CedarDave]

But he [Solano] added that, "based on the evidence so far, there has been no indication of foul play."

Would have been evidence of trauma if foul play unless she was drugged (results pending).

[angcat]

Oh that is sad

[metmom]

She could have scooped it out. And how does anyone know if there was a kitten in there if it climbed out and disappeared by the time they found her?

Water weights a lot. How could they have dragged the barrel into the house? I couldn’t imagine a 4 year old tipping that over either but not having any experience with rain barrels, that’s just me.

It’ll always be suspicious, in my book.

[CedarDave]

The sheriff has determined, as of now, no foul play. The ABQ Journal article gives a lot more detail on the circumstances and based on what I read, it seems just a tragic accident.

The ABQ Journal is subscription but free for a visitor; if you listen to a 30-second video, at the end a link pops up at bottom of the page that takes you into the online version.

[To Hell With Poverty]

Well that just makes it super-mega sad then.

[brytlea]

Yikes, looks like it would indeed be impossible to get out. What a tragedy, and what a scarey way to go. My prayers go out for the family.
susie