<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/updated.gif" border=0 > 2:45 p.m. Cause of death released in dehydrated woman case

March 12, 2009 04:54 pm

— A Fairland, Okla., woman who claimed she was held hostage without food and water just before she expired earlier this week died of pneumonia, authorities said today.
The cause of death for Amber Barr, 29, is preliminary and pending the results of a toxicology, according to Jasper County Coroner Rob Chappel.
Barr died at 3:03 p.m. Sunday in an intensive-care unit at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin. Barr was taken to the hospital March 5 in critical condition from dehydration.
Joplin police have said that Barr told a nurse while still conscious at the hospital that she was held hostage without food or water.
The report of abuse remains under investigation by Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Fairland police.