The death of a 58-year-old woman, Joni Allred, whose body was found in the Animas River near the Doubletree Hotel on Sept. 7, has been ruled a drowning.
Initially, the La Plata County Coroner’s Office was unable to determine the cause of death during an autopsy on Sept. 11 because of the presence of an unidentified white substance found in Allred’s stomach.
After analyzing blood and urine samples, the toxicologist found that Allred's urine ethanol levels suggested she may have been intoxicated, fallen into the river and drowned, Smith said.
The white substance was determined to be unrelated to Allred’s death.
In the toxicology report, Allred’s urine ethanol levels were at 11 mg/dl.
While that level of ethanol is not typically considered high, Smith said that an individual’s reaction to alcohol varies based on how their body metabolizes it.
She said preexisting medical conditions can exacerbate the symptoms of alcohol consumption as well.
At 10:19 a.m. Sept. 7, Durango Police Department received a call notifying them of a body floating in the Animas River near the DoubleTree Hotel. Allred’s body had been found stuck around a large boulder in the Animas River, according to the autopsy report.
Police said they were notified by a rafting company that passed by the area. DPD Cmdr. Jacob Dunlop told The Durango Herald in September that Allred had been camping near The DoubleTree for at least one night before she died.
Allred was from Eagar, Arizona, located in Apache County and was named the Round Valley Rodeo Queen in 1981. Her daughter, Courtney Hall, said she hadn’t been homeless for long before she died.
In a letter shared with The Durango Herald, Allred’s sister, Shannon, described Allred as a “very tenacious, loving, funny, creative and spiritual person with a wise soul.”
She was the founder, owner and operator of a painting business practicing specialty finishes in Eagar.
Hall said Allred had been dealing with domestic disputes related to a previous relationship before she left Arizona. Her sister shared in the letter that Allred had been diagnosed with extreme bipolar disorder.
“While on medication Joni was able to live a productive meaningful life. Unfortunately, at times Joni felt she did not need medication, which is very common in those who have such a diagnosis. Unfortunately, Joni ended up going on and off medication throughout the rest of her life,” Shannon said in the letter.
The family said that Allred left home three months before her death without informing them, which they believe was due to her not taking her prescribed medication for bipolar disorder.
Despite her battle with bipolar disorder, Shannon said Allred was loved by her family and many in her community.
“I hope that Joni's story can help shine a light on the hardships that individuals and their family members face as they battle mental illness,” Shannon said in the letter. “I pray that if anyone is struggling please humble yourself and reach out for help, accept the help and follow through with prescribed medication and counseling. Your life may depend on it.”
tbrown@durangoherald.com
