Police looking at drug link in death

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the circumstances of a local woman’s death last Thursday, January 5, and has searched the apartment on North Washington Street in Berkeley Springs where she was found.

Edna Pearl Hewett, 38, of Jim West Road was pronounced dead at War Memorial Hospital after police and rescue personnel unsuccessfully attempted to revive her.

“A person of interest has been identified and there is a possibility of forthcoming homicide charges due to a drug overdose.  This person’s name is not being released at this time,” said Sheriff Vince Shambaugh.

Deputy First Class (DFC) Cliff Cobern responded to a 911 call to an apartment at 221 North Washington Street around 5 p.m. last Thursday.

According to police, Cobern found Hewett unresponsive and not breathing on a hallway floor. Cobern performed CPR until the rescue squad arrived.

Hewett was transported to War Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Shambaugh said an “intensive criminal investigation is underway.” Cobern’s
interviews of several people since the death have led to a search warrant of the apartment where Hewett was found.

The search warrant was served Monday by Cobern and members of Berkeley Springs Police Department. Results of the search were not available at press time.

Hewetts’ body was sent to Morgantown for an autopsy which has been completed.  The Sheriffs’ Office is currently awaiting the results of the toxicology analysis.