Pataskala, Ohio – In Pataskala, Ohio, 75-year-old Rebecca Westergaard was found dead on Christmas Day, the victim of an attack by her neighbor’s pigs. The Licking County Coroner’s Office has now confirmed that Westergaard succumbed to blood loss caused by extensive superficial wounds on her legs.
According to Deputy Coroner and Chief Forensic Pathologist Dr. C. Jeff Lee, Westergaard’s death was a direct result of the injuries she sustained.
“She died from blood loss because of extensive superficial wounds on her legs,” Dr. Lee stated, shedding light on the grim circumstances surrounding her passing.
The incident came to light when police conducted a welfare check at Westergaard’s home on Mink Street after she failed to appear at a family gathering. Upon arrival, officers discovered Westergaard on the front steps of her porch with visible injuries to her lower body. The presence of a large pig nearby sparked immediate concern, leading to the involvement of the Licking County Humane Society in the investigation.
Police reports indicate that at least two pigs from a neighboring property were found and subsequently quarantined. The investigation has focused on determining how these animals contributed to Westergaard’s injuries.
Westergaard had reportedly undergone heart surgery earlier in the year and was on blood thinners, which likely exacerbated the severity of her injuries. Dr. Lee explained, “She was unable to form clots to stop the bleeding because she’s on the blood thinners,” highlighting a tragic confluence of health and circumstance.