Foul play ruled out in Schuylkill woman’s death
State police at the Schuylkill Haven barracks said Thursday the death of a 25-year-old woman who was found on Monday at a residence in that borough, appears to have been caused due to health conditions.
Police said foul play does not appear to be a cause in the death of Haley Noel Mills, who was found deceased Monday afternoon at a residence at 20 Parkway Ave.
Police said Tuesday the Schuylkill Haven Police Department was notified Monday afternoon of a non-attended death. They said the family of the resident at that location requested a friend to conduct a welfare check on the woman living there and when he arrived the woman was nonresponsive so he dialed 911.
Borough police arrived shortly thereafter and found the woman to be deceased in her residence.
Police said a Troop L Major Case Team was activated to investigate the death. They said multiple interviews were conducted and search warrants obtained as officers continue to investigate this incident.
According to the search warrants obtained through the office of Magisterial District Judge Dave Plachko, Mills’ body was discovered lying on the stairway with no pants or underwear, wearing a black hoodie. Signs of possible foul play included disarray in the living room and paper currency strewn about, suggesting a potential struggle.
The warrant states the friend said he had spent time with Mills on Jan. 1 and checked on her again the next day, when she appeared “dope sick” from opioid withdrawal. He reported he ensured she was safe before leaving the residence on Jan. 2.
On Jan. 6, after being contacted by Mills’ family, he returned to the house and found her unresponsive on the stairs, the search warrant request reads.
The warrant also revealed Mills was known to have significant liquid assets, which police said was a possible motive for a violent crime. Investigators believed her involvement with people connected to the drug trade could also have been relevant, as drug-related violence often involves financial disputes and personal protection measures.