Authorities in Colorado have revealed the cause of death of a 76-year-old woman with dementia, who tragically died after being left alone with several dogs in her home in February.
LaVonne Hoff was found unresponsive when officers were called to her Colorado City home on February 3, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. Alongside her body, officers discovered numerous dogs and birds, with many of the dogs running loose in the house.
Investigators later determined through an autopsy that LaVonne died due to injuries sustained from a dog attack, leading to a significant loss of blood. Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter indicated that her death was caused by “Exsanguination due to Canine Induced Trauma Injuries,” and the case has been ruled as accidental.
LaVonne’s daughter, Jessica Hoff, was arrested in March after leaving her mother alone in the house. She faces charges of criminal negligence leading to death and 54 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Police reported discovering 54 dogs and seven birds belonging to Jessica living in poor conditions across two properties.
It is currently unclear if Jessica has entered a plea or secured legal representation.
