CASSOPOLIS — Cass County Medical Examiner Dr. Robert Knox ruled that missing Mishawaka, Ind., woman Kim White-Stout, 38, died of asphyxia ligature strangulation to the neck area.

According to the forensic pathologists’ report, out of Grand Rapids, White-Stout likely had been dead since March 23 or 24, Knox said Wednesday.

Knox said he is still waiting for microscopic and toxicology reports to return, which could take several weeks.

Those tests could reveal whether any sexual assault took place.

Knox added that he did not witness any “lethal injuries” or bleeding or anything of that nature on her body, which a road commission employee found about 1:30 p.m. Monday in a field on Lane Road, south of Davis Lake Street in Jefferson Township.

Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood’s detectives are working with the St. Joseph County, Ind., metro homicide unit and Mishawaka Police Department on this homicide investigation. Anyone with new information on this case is urged to contact Cass County Central Dispatch at (269) 445-1560, Crime Stoppers or online at www.tipsoftonline.com.