Authorities early this afternoon released the identities of the woman and child who were found dead Saturday night July 16th inside a running vehicle in a parking lot.
Officers from the Trenton Police Department responded to McDonalds at 1861 East 9th Street, Trenton, Missouri, in reference to a possible death of a female subject inside a vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with witnesses who indicated that they discovered Elizabeth Lafolette, 24 years of Trenton, and her daughter, 11-month-old Shannon Jeannoutot-Lafolette, in a car of the east side, end of the McDonald’s parking lot. Witnesses, noting that the two were unresponsive, broke the passenger side front window of the vehicle. It was later determined that the two were deceased.
The bodies of the victims were taken by Coroner Dewayne Slater and an autopsy is being conducted Monday, July 18th. There is no cause of death at this time and Chief Wright indicates that it could be six to eight weeks before an actual cause of death is established; however, authorities do not suspect foul play.
Wright does indicate that it is possible that the victim was parked at the location for some time, possibly for several hours. He also indicated that the investigation disclosed that the air conditioner in the car appears to have been off at the time of the incident. It is unknown if heat played a role in the deaths.
The investigation is ongoing and police are reviewing area video footage as well as establishing a time line for the victim’s activities. Any further information will be provided as it becomes available.