Raid reportedly linked to death investigation

Henderson police raided a local doctor's office and home last month in search of the anti-anxiety prescription drug Xanax, according to court documents obtained Tuesday.

Although Henderson police would not comment on the reason for the raid of Dr. Thomas Hess' possessions, The Associated Press and celebrity gossip website TMZ said the raids were related to last month's death of LPGA Tour golfer Erica Blasberg.

Blasberg, 25, was found dead at her Anthem home May 9.

According to a search warrant, on May 13 police confiscated from Hess' home several computers, two video cameras, a cell phone and a global positioning system. Police took white trash bags and a computer from Hess' office. An affidavit connected to the raids was sealed.

The search warrant said the drug alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, was what investigators were searching for.

"Any Alprazolam small blue oval pills that are contained in a 30 package blister pack which is consistent to the 30 package blister pack located on the scene," the search warrant said.

The warrant did not list pills as items recovered from Hess' home or office.

Henderson police spokesman Keith Paul said he would not comment because of an ongoing investigation.

Police characterize the inquiry as a "death investigation" but have said they have not ruled out any possibilities.

Authorities have said that a 911 call that summoned investigators to Blasberg's home came from inside the house and that she was not alone upon officers' arrival.

Hess, a family practice doctor, did not return a phone call at his office Tuesday. His lawyer, Charles Kelly, declined to comment.

Clark County Coroner Mike Murphy has said toxicology results might not be ready until late June .

During an interview conducted with The Associated Press, Blasberg's father and coach, Mel Blasberg, said his daughter never mentioned Hess' name.

"She talked about a doctor she played golf with at Southern Highlands who was her doctor," Mel Blasberg said. "She never mentioned his name to me."

Erica Blasberg, a native of Corona, Calif., turned pro in 2004 and had her only top-10 finish in 2008.

She played one LPGA tournament this year, finishing tied for 44th in the Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico, which ended May 2.

Blasberg was hindered by a bad back in 2009, resulting in the worst year of her career and limitations on her LPGA playing privileges this season.

Blasberg was an All-American in her only two seasons at the University of Arizona.

She earned $326,872 in LPGA earnings and had her best year in 2008 when she made the cut in 11 of 23 events and had earnings of $113,428.

The Associated Press and Review-Journal reporter Lawrence Mower contributed to this report. Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.