Police testing slain teacher for steroid use
Police testing slain teacher for steroid use
July 26, 2007
WYOMING -- As slain teacher Cristi Curtis was buried Thursday, Wyoming police were awaiting information on whether steroid use by Joseph Frees played a part in causing her death.
"It doesn't change the tragedy and it's not something we're specifically focused on, but we at least need to address the rumor as long as we're (investigating) this," said Lt. Scott Beckman, commander of Wyoming police detective unit.
Beckman confirmed today that police asked the Kent County Medical Examiner to do a special test to check for the use of anabolic steroids by Frees, who police say shot Curtis multiple times before turning the gun on himself.
Curtis recently had ended a relationship with Frees. The Byron Center teachers had shared a home in Wyoming. Their bodies were discovered in their Jean Street home last Thursday.
The steroid test is not part of the routine toxicology screens that are conducted in violent death investigations, said Dr. David Start. Results are expected within four weeks.
