A 54-year-old Hesperus woman died last week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith.
The La Plata County Coroner’s Office responded to the home of Katherine Brown, off County Road 105 on the western edge of the county, around 3:30 p.m. June 1.
The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, the agency investigating the incident, did not immediately have information available.
Smith said the report was called in by a family member, and the incident is ruled a suicide. She said Brown had no history of medical problems and an autopsy is pending.
Smith said Brown’s family lives in Florida.
“The family was surprised but not surprised,” Smith said. “No one really knew why exactly.”
This is the 10th reported suicide this year in La Plata County.
For help
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering killing himself can be found from these sources:
Axis Health System: 24-hour hotline at 247-5245.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-TALK (8255).
RED Nacional de PrevencióN Del Suicidio: (888) 628-9454.
National Crisis text Hotline: 741741
Boys Town Hotline: (800) 448-3000.
Safe2Tell Colorado: (877) 542-7233 or online at https://safe2tell.org.
Colorado Crisis Support Line: (844) 493-8255. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis.
Second Wind Fund: (720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
