Hearing continued in death of disabled sister

Results from an autopsy performed on a disabled Carson City woman in May might determine whether her sister is charged with her killing.

A hearing for Patricia Von Dracek, 50, was continued Wednesday, as both sides await the results of toxicology tests performed on the body of Sandra Von Dracek, 55.

Patricia Von Dracek is charged with battery and abuse for an incident two weeks before Sandra Von Dracek died.

According to the criminal complaint, Patricia Von Dracek allegedly did "punch, strike, kick and or stomp the victim in the face, chest, shoulders and/or abdominal area" between April 23 and May 15.

Sandra Von Dracek suffered a head injury in a car accident more than a decade ago and could not care for herself. She shared a southeast Carson City house with her sister, according to court records.

On April 24, a home care nurse reported to police that she witnessed Patricia Von Dracek slap and punch her sister the previous day.

Patricia Von Dracek denied hitting her sister, but Sandra Von Dracek, though her speech was impaired, said her sister hit her often, Deputy Josh Stagliano wrote in his report.

According to the police report, Stagliano had Sandra Von Dracek taken to Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. It was his understanding that hospital staff would try to get Sandra Von Dracek, a Navy veteran, into the Veterans Administration Hospital in Reno and not return her to her sister's care, the report states.

Placement at the VA hospital was denied, and Patricia Von Dracek allegedly picked up her sister from the hospital, said Detective Craig Lowe.

On May 21, Stagliano and another deputy went to Von Dracek's Hillview Drive home to serve the arrest warrant. While there, Patricia Von Dracek informed them that Sandra Von Dracek had died May 15 while sitting in a recliner in the living room.

According to the criminal complaint, an autopsy May 22 revealed Sandra Von Dracek had fractured ribs and internal injuries. A cause of death was not determined.

Assistant Carson City District Attorney Gerald Gardner wrote in a motion that the toxicology tests won't be back for at least four weeks. A new preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 25.