Warden woman's death ruled drowning

WARDEN — A Warden woman found floating in an irrigation canal southwest of Warden Sunday night drowned, officials said.

A news release from Grant County Coroner Jerry Jasman Tuesday stated that 48-year-old Nelvia J. Van Dyken died from asphyxia due to freshwater drowning, after an autopsy was completed.

Grant County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy John Turley said Wednesday morning that Van Dyken was a veterinary technician and it appeared she had been trying to save her dog from the canal when she herself drowned. Turley said Van Dyken's home was approximately 300 feet from the canal.

Van Dyken was found Sunday night in the lateral canal near Road P.5 SE, west of the Sage Hills Golf Course. The dog found alongside Van Dyken also appears to have drowned, Jasman said in a release.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office had previously called the death a suspicious one, but Turley said it appeared to be an unfortunate accident.

— Staff report