Carbon monoxide poisoning believed to be cause of death of Howard Co. woman

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 2:49 PM

By Staff report

Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning is believed to have caused the death of a woman in Howard County.

The Howard County Coroner responded to a home in the 1100 block East of County Road 200 North Friday afternoon. A woman was found deceased in a pole barn on the property.

The woman was the resident of the property, Leigha Alexander, age 45. The initial investigation has led investigators to suspect accidental carbon monoxide exposure as the probable cause of death. Alexander had been using a gas power washer while cleaning a stall area in the pole barn.

An autopsy was performed Monday by a forensic pathologist at the Howard County Coroner’s Office. The final cause and manner of death are pending forensic toxicology and lab results.

Foul play is not suspected.