LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) – Officials say Elena Moore, a Lexington County woman found dead after being reported missing earlier this summer, died of natural causes.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher detailed the results of Moore’s autopsy during a press conference on Friday. Fisher said Moore’s cause of death was linked to various previously diagnosed heart conditions, which included an irregular heartbeat.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher detailed the results of Moore’s autopsy during a press conference on Friday. Fisher said Moore’s cause of death was linked to various previously diagnosed heart conditions, which included an irregular heartbeat. (Lexington Police Department)
The autopsy found no signs of traumatic injuries or physical trauma, she added.
“Beautiful girl. Such a tragic story,” Fisher said.
Fisher said the findings came from a pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina who specializes in cardiovascular health.
“It is the opinion of the pathologist that the decedent died as a result of complications of cardiac dysrhythmias with premature ventricular contractions. The manner of death is natural,” Fisher said.
She also shared details about Moore’s history that were provided with permission from her family. Some of those details included the irregular heartbeat as well as behavioral issues and problems with alcohol dating back to her teenage years. Moore was also diagnosed with mental health disorders in 2025.
Moore was first reported missing in early June, with neighbors notably capturing her on doorbell cameras appearing confused, picking up a delivery driver’s food and looking through packages at an apartment complex.
After she was located, Moore was admitted to an unnamed inpatient mental health facility. Fisher said Moore was diagnosed there with an “unspecified psychosis” and was said to be in a “full mental crisis.”
Fisher also said that Moore did not seem to be getting her prescribed heart medication at the facility. She said that while the facility claimed to have given her the medicine, it was not found in her toxicology report.
Five days after being admitted, Moore was released. Her husband, Brannon Slice, was called and offered to pick her up. Fisher, however, said the facility instead arranged a taxi for Moore.
“This is mental illness. Her heart condition, she probably could have lived through that heart condition with her medication, but she was in a full mental health crisis,” Fisher said.
That taxi took Moore to a CVS Pharmacy on Sunset Boulevard where she used to work. Fisher claimed Moore had left her wallet but reportedly left the store with bottles of wine and water, promising to pay for the items later.
Fisher said Moore had also called police, claiming the taxi driver had been stalking her – but neither Moore nor the driver were found by responding officers.
Moore was then seen in other areas along Sunset Boulevard, such as a Planet Fitness and a nearby parking lot. She was eventually seen crossing North Lake Drive, near the area where her body was found.
Moore also allegedly took clothes that didn’t belong to her from the Planet Fitness, along with an AirPod.
Fisher said Moore’s toxicology also showed a .089 blood-alcohol level, but noted that excessive heat during the time could have also played a role in that finding along with the wine she took from CVS.
The coroner also said Slice was never criminally implicated in the investigation.
“So I would hope that now some of these people that were doing these justice for Elena, I hope they will continue to do justice for Elena and only focus on the fact that mental illness needs to be addressed now. Mental illness. Let’s have some justice for those folks who are suffering with mental illness,” Fisher said.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division closed its missing persons case into Moore, but it’s unclear if the agency closed its investigation specifically into Moore’s death.
WIS has reached out to SLED for more information.
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