Preliminary Autopsy Report In on Frances Barton

TYLER (Staff/AP) — The Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science (SWIFS) in Dallas reports that the preliminary autopsy report of Frances Barton revealed she died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says Barton has been positively identified by fingerprints. Officials say there is no indication at this time as to the time of death. According to KETK, Barton’s body was found in a freezer after a deadly standoff in Western Smith County February 11. Officials were serving a search warrant related to Barton’s disappearance in 2014.

Preliminary autopsy results are still pending on Kenneth Brent Barton, Frances Barton’s son, who died of an apparent gunshot wound during the standoff. The incident also included the destruction of Kenneth Barton’s hom by fire. Kenneth Barton’s autopsy results will be made available upon their receipt, according to a news release from Sheriff Larry Smith. An x-ray at the fire scene indicates a goat that was found in the fire debris died as a result of a gunshot to the head as well.

Smith says the scene investigation has been completed. He says detectives continue to examine evidence which was seized from the scene as the result of the evidentiary search warrant being executed. Additional information will be reported as it becomes available, according to the sheriff.