METHUEN — The woman who was found dead near the Veterans of Foreign Wars building on Saturday morning was not murdered, police Chief Katherine Lavigne said yesterday.
"The medical examiner found no evidence of serious trauma that caused Mrs. DesRoche's death," Lavigne said. "The injuries she suffered are consistent with witness statements that she fell. The investigation indicates that she was not a victim of an assault and foul play is not suspected."
Barbara DesRoche, a 69-year-old grandmother and bartender, was found dead, partially clothed and bleeding near her car around 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Friends said she was at the VFW at 26 River St. the night before, and District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's office initially called her death "suspicious."
Her autopsy was done yesterday, officials said.
"The cause and manner of Mrs. DesRoche's death are pending toxicology. We are issuing this statement at this time to reassure the citizens of Methuen that there does not appear to be a threat to the public safety," Lavigne said.
Lavigne said she could not elaborate on what DesRoche's injuries were, and she didn't go into detail about what witnesses told police.
"This is still an open investigation until we get the toxicology," she said.
"First of all she's dead, so nothing's changing that," said DesRoche's husband of 51 years, Robert DesRoche, also 69. "But if she had an accident and fell down and hit her head and knocked herself out, I have to believe that's a better scenario than fighting for her life in horror."
In addition to her husband, Barbara DesRoche is survived by two sons, ages 51 and 49, and an 18-year-old grandson.
Robert DesRoche said yesterday's news brought "a little bit of closure," but the family remains devastated.
"I'm still operating on automatic here. It's going to be a tough week," he said.
Barbara DesRoche was a popular bartender at the VFW and at the American Legion at 200 Broadway.
Her husband thanked Methuen and state police for their work on the case. Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements, which are being scheduled for later this week.
