SAN MARCOS DAILY RECORD (Texas) 02 August 05 Snake bite cause of death (Brad Rollins)
A Wimberley woman whose body was found in a pasture on Friday died of a snake bite, preliminary autopsy results indicate.
Margaret Wilson White, 58, was discovered three hours into a second manhunt after her gray minivan was discovered abandoned on the side of Ranch Road 12. She had been missing since July 20 when her family believed she had gone to Houston.
The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office hasn't completed their autopsy but believes two puncture wounds discovered on White's ankle indicate she died of a snake's venom. A complete autopsy won't be available for at least a few days, Hays County sheriff's Sgt. Allen Bridges said.
Bridges said investigators don't know why she was on the land but he's said previously that she was an herbalist who enjoyed collecting native plants. Her body was found about 200 yards from her vehicle.
"I suppose she's the only one who could tell you what she was doing," Bridges said.
The search for White began July 25 when law enforcement found her abandoned van. It got underway in earnest the next day with a coordinated ground and air effort that apparently stopped about 100 yards short of where her body was found.
Searchers returned to comb an expanded area on Friday, when a Mounted Patrol officer with the Austin ISD police department found her body.
Though most are nonpoisonous, the Central Texas area is home to dozens of species of snakes. The most likely culprit in White's death would be a rattlesnake.
Less than one percent of people bitten by poisonous snakes die, and many bites by poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes are actually "dry," with no venom injected.
Any snake bite is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.
http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/articles/2005/08/02/news/news1.txt
KXAN (Austin, Texas) 02 August 05 Watching Out For Dangerous Snakes
The news that a snake bite led to the death of a Wimberley woman last week has gotten the attention of everyone who spends time in rural areas.
Searchers found Margaret White's body near Ranch Road 12 Friday in Hays County about 400 yards away from her mini-van.
Family members say White was an herbalist who may have been in the wooded area looking for plants.
Central Texans like to spend time in places like our many state parks and even venture off the beaten path.
Unfortunately, in those places you run the risk of coming face-to-face with poisonous snakes.
Throughout Central Texas, plenty of nature, lush environment and wildlife make it an attractive place to explore.
But that wildlife includes poisonous snakes like copperheads, the water moccasin, coral and rattlesnakes.
Once bitten, a person can face serious health problems and even death.
If alone, a few simple steps might help you make it to safety.
"Maybe put some ice on it. Try to slow the circulation down. Remain calm. That's hard to do, but do the best you can and try to get to help as quick as you can. Make sure you can identify the snake," Agriculture Extension Agent Wade Hibler said.
The best recommendation is to avoid areas of tall grass where there are no trails.
But if you do find yourself in these places like the victim from Hays County did having someone along might save your life.
http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=3673665&nav=0s3dcsBu
