(SIOUX CITY, IA) We now know what caused the death of 24-year-old Jasmine Kleve. The missing woman died after using inhalants.
Police found her body a week after she disappeared, and now autopsy results explain how she died.
Her family said she was last seen near Kohl's in Lakeport Commons, her phone even turned up outside Hobby Lobby.
But still, no one could find the missing woman, not even her family who turned to Facebook, hoping for leads in her disappearance.
Kleve's body was found one week later, on December 12th, behind a retaining wall at the entrance to Lakeport commons.
Messages began pouring in on Kleve's Facebook page. The day before her body was found, police put out a missing person's report, in it they said foul play was not suspected.
Autopsy results now confirm, Kleve died from huffing a toxic gas found in spray paints and cleaning supplies.
Most people may not think of inhalants as drugs, because they were never intended for that use. But even so, many aerosol cans have warnings on the back that say, "Inhaling may cause instant death."
"1/3rd of people who die from huffing, it was actually their first time that they did it. When huffing, a person is inhaling chemicals that get into the blood stream, that get into the heart, get into the brain," says Dr. Dr. Edward Bottei, Medical Director for the Iowa Poison Control Center.
He says, there is no safe way to huff, even if you don't die.
"[Huffing] can cause damage to the brain, damage to the bloodstream, can potentially cause other types of cancers, so long term exposure can be very dangerous also," says Dr. Bottei.
Proof why getting high quick, isn't worth the risk.
According to www.drugabuse.gov in 2011, about 13% of 8th graders, 10% of sophomores and 8% of seniors had tried inhalants.
Hleigh@siouxlandnews.com
www.facebook.com/heatherleighKMEG
