Police order autopsy in death investigation

The death of a 66-year-old Bangor woman is under investigation by detectives from the Bangor Police Department.

The body of Rita Pelcher of 313 State St. was discovered Friday morning in her second-story apartment by an adult health care worker, according to Lt. Brian Cox.

It appeared that Pelcher had been dead for a few days. There were “no outwardly visable” signs of foul play, but the case would remain under investigation until an autopsy could be performed to determine the cause of death, Cox said.

Pelcher’s son, whose name was not released, lived with his mother off and on, Cox said.

The son had been in and out of the apartment during the past few days and had been seen there on Friday morning, Cox said. The son, however, suffers from a mental handicap and Cox said that could account for him not reporting his mother’s death.

Police remained outside the apartment for six hours Friday afternoon and did not enter until they received a signed search warrant. Cox said the search warrant was needed because the son was a resident of the apartment and could also be considered a suspect if foul play was involved. For legal reasons Cox said he wanted to make sure he had the search warrant in hand before entering the apartment.

Pelcher’s body was not removed until Friday evening and Cox said the body would be taken to Augusta for an autopsy.

Cox said he had been told that Pelcher had been ill prior to her death and had been under the care of Adult Protective Services.