Missing mom Marilane Carter likely killed by carbon monoxide poisoning: sheriff

Marilane Carter, the Kansas mother of three who disappeared earlier in August while traveling to Alabama to visit family, is believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carter, 36, went missing Aug. 1 while driving to Birmingham to see family and seek treatment for a mental heath issue, according to the Overland Park Police Department. Carter’s body was found Tuesday after a multi-state search ended with the discovery of her car in a shipping container.

Authorities believe that Carter’s car was driven into the empty shipping container, which is in a field on private property, and put in park. Her purse and other possessions were inside the car.

Crittenden County (Ark.) Sheriff Mike Allen told AL.com that no foul play is suspected, but the cause and manner of death is expected to be confirmed by a medical examiner on Thursday.

“We had the FBI Forensics Recover Team, Arkansas State Police and sheriff’s investigators and their collective thoughts was that it was more than likely carbon monoxide,’' the sheriff said. “She didn’t have any blunt force trauma or any type of wounds that would cause her death. She more than likely pulled into this container, left her motor running and asphyxiated.”

“How she got back into that location and found that container is just bizarre for sure,’' Allen said, “but all indications are she was behind the wheel, the car was running, the doors were actually locked. The way that car was in there, you for sure couldn’t open and shut the doors. No one else could have done that.”

“We’re just waiting on the results and praying for the family,’' the sheriff added. “They sure have been through it.”