Cause of death still unknown in death of woman found in desert near Pahrump

A second autopsy on a 27-year-old California woman whose body was found in the desert near Pahrump in September has turned up inconclusive results for a cause of death.

The death of Margay Kim Edwards was classified as undetermined with no criminal involvement, according to a report released this week by the Nye County Sheriff’s Department. The University of North Texas conducted the latest autopsy.

The university is a forensic consultant with the Clark County coroner’s office, which conducted the initial autopsy.

Edwards’ decomposing body was found Sept. 25 by all-terrain vehicle riders near a dirt trail outside Pahrump. Her rental car was found nine days later, stuck in a ravine and hidden by brush with a flat tire and bumper damage. Two cell phones and a computer were inside.

Footprints in Edwards’ shoe size were found leading away from the vehicle.

Investigators said Edwards, of Los Osos, Calif., last contacted her family in mid-September. Edwards’ body was released to her family Dec. 9.