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HomeNewsArchivesWOMAN’S DEATH STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION

WOMAN’S DEATH STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION

Aug. 23, 2001 –– The apparent bludgeoning death of a 39-year-old St. Croix woman late last month is still under investigation, according to Police Department officials.
Jan Mary Hooper was found dead at the home of her ex-husband, Alan Zinaman, in Catherine's Hope early on July 28. Police characterized Hooper’s death as suspicious after an autopsy report determined that she died of multiple contusions to the back of the head. The St. Croix medical examiner said the contusions could have been the result of Hooper being struck or somehow coming in contact with a blunt instrument.
On Wednesday, St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said the investigation is continuing while police await forensic test results from the mainland.
"We’re awaiting a toxicology report from the FBI," Francis said, noting that such a test is standard operating procedure. Locally, he said, "We don’t have the facility to do it."
Francis said investigators were looking into several things possibly relating to Hooper's death, including reports that Zinaman’s home alarm system was activated around the time of the incident. Basically, Francis said, the investigation is moving slowly because police are trying to build a case in a death that so far has not been ruled a homicide.
Hooper, who lived in Pepper Tree Terrace, had reportedly been staying with Zinaman because of problems at her own home. Police would not comment on the nature of those problems because of the ongoing investigation.

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