Autopsy of woman found dead near Gage Elementary School in March released

(ABC 6 News) – Autopsy results for the woman found dead near Gage Elementary School in March have been released.

According to the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s office, 22-year-old Mercedez Rocha of Northfield, MN died as a result of ingestion and/or injection of illicit drugs, specifically Fentanyl and Methamphetamine.

Rocha was discovered by a man walking his dog near the school’s parking lot around 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, March 16.

RELATED: UPDATE: Body identified as missing 22-year-old woman

Investigators believe Rocha’s body had been covered in snow for several weeks.

In January, the Rochester Police Department was contacted by the Northfield Police Department for a welfare check on Rocha, who did not have a known address.

Northfield Police Department informed Rochester Police Department that Rocha’s cell phone was pinged in northwest Rochester.