Death of local woman found in Flower Creek ruled accidental

The cause and manner of death of a local woman found dead in Flower Creek has been released.

According to Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short, the death of Sarina Lewis was an accident. She was found in the creek near the Libby Cemetery and Libby baseball and softball fields at about 2:37 p.m., May 10.

An autopsy by state officials determined the causes of death were difluoroethane intoxication, drowning and hypoxia.

According to the National Library of Medicine, difluoroethane acts as a Central Nervous System depressant and causes a brief euphoria when inhaled. Severe complications include loss of consciousness, mucosal frostbite, angioedema, cardiac arrhythmias and skeletal fluorosis.

When deputies arrived, they located Lewis in the water near the edge of the stream. Authorities later identified the woman as Sarina Lewis.

Detectives with the Sheriff's Office joined Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack at the scene.

Authorities subsequently launched an investigation while the Lincoln County Coroner was notified and responded to transport Lewis' body.

Notifications were made by the Lincoln County Coroner.