Crime & Safety

Police Investigating Viola Drath's Death as a Homicide

Evidence van outside her home at 32nd and Q Streets.

Updated 7:30 p.m.

Police are investigating the death of Viola Herms Drath, 91, in Georgetown. According to a news release from the Metropolitan Police Department, her death is being investigated as a homicide after an autopsy Saturday.

On Friday, Drath’s second husband, Albrecht Gero Muth, sent an email to friends and neighbors about his wife's passing.

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He wrote:

I'm sad to advise that my dear wife of nearly 25 years passed away last night. Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Police have told The Washington Post that they have not made any arrests yet in the case.

Muth submitted an obituary for his late wife to the Post Sunday and listed the cause of death as “Head Trauma resulting from Fall.”

Below is an excerpt from the Metropolitan Police Department's press release about the incident:

Detective’s from the Metropolitan Police Departments Homicide Branch are investigating the homicide which occurred in the 3200 block of Q Street, NW.

On Friday, August 12, 2011, units from the Second District responded to the 3200 block of Q Street, NW for the report of an unconscious person.Upon their arrival, they discovered an unconscious and unresponsive adult female inside of the location. Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services determined that the decedent had no signs of life and was pronounced dead by a member of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia.

On Saturday, August 13, 2011, it was determined, by a member of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, that the manner of death was homicide.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-800-673-2777 and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Original Post

A Metropolitan Police Department evidence van was parked at the corner of 32nd and Q streets NW today. Patch is pursuing more information.

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