Autopsy finds Washington state girl was killed by strangulation, stab wound to neck

Autopsy: Washington girl was strangled, stabbed

WENATCHEE, Wash. — Authorities say a central Washington high school student whose body was found along the Columbia River four days after she went missing was killed by manual strangulation and a stab wound to the neck.

The death certificate from the Chelan-Douglas Health District says an autopsy found that blunt impact to the head was also a significant factor in Mackenzie Cowell’s death.

The 17-year-old was last seen Feb. 9 leaving a beauty school class in Wenatchee. Her locked car was found that night about 5 miles away with her purse still inside but her debit card missing.

An FBI child abduction team joined sheriff’s deputies and Wenatchee police during the search last month. Authorities are looking for Cowell’s killer.

Information from: The Wenatchee World, www.wenatcheeworld.com

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — Authorities say a central Washington high school student whose body was found along the Columbia River four days after she went missing was killed by manual strangulation and a stab wound to the neck.

The death certificate from the Chelan-Douglas Health District says an autopsy found that blunt impact to the head was also a significant factor in Mackenzie Cowell’s death.

The 17-year-old was last seen Feb. 9 leaving a beauty school class in Wenatchee. Her locked car was found that night about 15 miles away with her purse still inside but her debit card missing.

An FBI child abduction team joined sheriff’s deputies and Wenatchee police during the search last month. Authorities are looking for Cowell’s killer.

Information from: The Wenatchee World, www.wenatcheeworld.com