Autopsy planned for cancer patient mauled by dogs

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By Keith Eldridge

Summary

Mike Warner died before police had a chance to talk with him about allegations of neglect and abuse by his own daughter. Investigators believe the wheelchair-bound 55 year old was attacked by dogs after being left lying on the floor of his Parkland home last month.

Story Published: Sep 15, 2008 at 4:37 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 2:16 AM PDT

Autopsy planned for cancer patient mauled by dogs
MASON COUNTY, Wash. -- An autopsy is to be performed on a cancer patient to determine whether a dog attack contributed to his death.

Mike Warner died before police had a chance to talk with him about allegations of neglect and abuse by his own daughter. Investigators believe the wheelchair-bound man was attacked by dogs after being left lying on the floor of his Parkland home last month.

Warner, who was battling advanced cancer, was unable to care for or defend himself due to medical condition. He was under the care of his daughter, Yvonne Bell, and his daughter's friend, Jennifer Markwith, who was his unlicensed caretaker.

The two left him alone with 18 puppies and several adult dogs that had been unfed for days, investigators said.

"Some of the puppies got to him," said Pierce County Det. Ed Troyer. "Not intentionally attacked him, but used him as a food source. There's just not a nicer way to say it.

"They just didn't know any better and he was on the floor, incapacitated for a couple of days, and became a victim of that."

Warner was 55 years old when he died on Friday at a Shelton nursing home.

"The way his life ended sucks. That's horrible," said the victim's brother, Kelly Warner.

Kelly said his brother's death is a grim end to a life full of struggles.

"He spent his whole life in misery. When I heard it it was like, 'whoa.' It's just awful the way his life went," he said.

Michael had been battling kidney cancer while living with his daughter and Markwith in a home where they also kept 25 dogs.

Prior to the dog attack, Michael had told his brother and sisters that his daughter slapped him and pushed him out of his wheelchair. She also withheld his medication, he had told them.

But Michael had been incoherent at the hospital for a time and died before the sheriff's detective had a chance to talk with him about the alleged abuse.

"I hope that Yvonne and her friend both get in trouble for what they did," said Pat Tangeman, the victim's sister.

The family fears the absence of Michael's words will put the case in jeopardy with Bell released from jail.

The prosecutor is still reviewing the case and charges could still be filed in the case, be it for neglect or for owning dangerous dogs.

"No matter what choices Mike made in life, he did not deserve this; nobody does," said the victim's sister, Michelle Wishon. "Somebody needs to be punished for it."

Michael's siblings said he was near death from cancer at the time of the attack, but said they hope the autopsy shows the dog attack did, in fact, contribute to his death.