Mena Woman Drowns in Scott County

By LeAnn Dilbeck

A Mena woman drowned in a creek/spillway near Lake Hinkle in Scott County, Saturday, July 27, 2013.

Lt. D.J. Pyles of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office said a call came in at approximately 6:15 p.m. of a possible drowning victim. He said the Waldron Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Game and Fish, and SouthWest EMS responded and when they arrived at the scene found Jodi Gerking Hogan, age 30, unresponsive.

She was transported to the Waldron Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

Pyles said Hogan was there with two females and a male but would not release their identities. He did say that the male was arrested on a non-related charge.

He said because of the indication that alcohol was involved along with bruising noted by the hospital staff, her body was sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy to rule out any foul play. He did say that the department, as of this time, considers the incident “accidental” until they receive evidence to indicate otherwise.

The decease’s mother, who believes there was foul play involved, told The Pulse that the family has retained a detective to further investigate the case. Hogan leaves behind five children under the age of 13.

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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