Erica Blasberg Death Declared a Suicide

Aug. 24, 2010— -- Nearly four months after LPGA golfer Erica Blasberg was found dead in her home, officials have declared her death a suicide.

The coroner's office of Clark County, Nevada said today that Blasberg died of suicide due to asphyxia, coupled with the presence of toxic levels of prescription medication in her system, including prescription headache, cough, pain and anti-anxiety medications.

While the coroner's office said no foul play is suspected in Blasberg's death, officials also issued an arrest warrant today for Dr. Thomas Hess on obstruction of justice charges in connection with removing items from the scene prior to police officers' arrival.

Her family believes Hess may have the answers as to why their healthy 25-year-old daughter died in May.

Blasberg's father, Mel Blasberg, only learned about Hess through the course of the police investigation. To this day, he's not certain what Hess' relationship with his daughter was, other than that they sometimes golfed together. But the more details that emerge about Hess' involvement with Erica, the more suspicious Mel has become.

Hess called 911 from Erica's home in Henderson, Nev., outside Las Vegas, on the afternoon of May 9, the day she was found dead. Reportedly, he spoke to her the night before she died. But since his initial interview with authorities, Hess has hired a lawyer and refused to answer any more questions, Mel said.

Four days after Erica's death, police raided Hess' home and medical office, seizing computers, video cameras, a cell phone, and white plastic trash bags, similar to one found near Erica's body, according to "The Early Show." A prescription, written by Hess, was discovered in Erica's home, although it's unknown whether he was her doctor.

"He's central to Erica's death in terms of being there before she died, and their relationship clearly went beyond doctor-patient," Mel told ABC News in a recent interview.

Erica's father stopped short of saying Hess, who is still practicing family medicine in Las Vegas, is responsible for his daughter's death. But he said he does believe Hess is being less than forthcoming about what happened the weekend of Erica's death because of his "inapporopriate relationship" with her.