Police have yet to determine the cause of death of a 23-year-old Australian who taught English in Chiayi.
On Saturday, Elizabeth Yvette Bretel was found unconscious, lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of her apartment stairs.
She was taken to St. Martindeporres Hospital, but doctors could do little to save her life.
Police believe that Bretel fell, although forensic experts have yet to reveal the results of an autopsy.
Meanwhile, Bretel's mother, father and stepfather arrived in Taiwan today from Australia to take their daughter's body home.
According to reports, Bretel had lived in Taiwan for almost a year, working as an English teacher at a Chiayi cram school.
Though police note that Bretel was found with a wound to her head, they ordered an autopsy to determine whether the cause of death was due to an accident or other reasons.
"We will be able to learn more about this case after we receive the results of the autopsy," said Shih Kun-mo (
Shih also dismissed rumors that Bretel was beaten by local gangsters.
"These rumors are not true," he said. "We did not find any scars or marks whatsoever indicating she had been beaten."
Shih refused to provide any further details in the case. "All relevant information will have to wait until we hear the results of the autopsy," he said.
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