FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Allen County Coroner says someone sat on a woman until she died during a fight back in April. The Allen County Coroner yesterday ruled Teresa Pratt’s death a homicide.
The coroner says someone held her down during a fight by sitting on her chest, which caused ‘traumatic asphyxia’ due to chest compression. The Allen County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.
The Allen County Coroner released the following:
On Monday, April 25, 2022, at about 2300 hours the Allen County Coroner’s Office was contacted and advised of the death of Teresa Raeann Pratt, female white 57 years of age from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Teresa Raeann Pratt was involved in a physical altercation at about 1015 hours on Monday April 25, 2022, with a second individual, who held Teresa Raeann Pratt down by sitting on her. During the altercation Teresa Raeann Pratt went unresponsive and emergency services were dispatched to the scene, located in the 8900 block of Center Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Teresa Raeann Pratt was transported to a local hospital where she was admitted as an inpatient. Teresa Raeann Pratt remained in the hospital until death was pronounced at 2143 hours on Monday, April 25, 2022.
An autopsy has been completed and notification has been made to the next of kin.
The Cause of Death is Mechanical/Traumatic Asphyxia due to Chest Compression and the Manner of Death is Homicide.
Teresa Raeann Pratt is the 14th Homicide for Allen County in 2022.
This incident remains under investigation by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.