Round Lake Park woman's death cause pending toxicology results

Toxicology study results expected to be available within 10 days should reveal a cause of death for a 34-year-old Round Lake Park woman who was found on the floor of a minivan in a Grayslake parking lot, authorities said Wednesday.

Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey said an autopsy performed on the body of Melissa Ann Best didn't show a cause of her death. Yancey said there were no any outward signs of trauma on her body.

Yancey said the toxicology results expected to be available in eight to 10 days should reveal what caused the woman's death.

Round Lake Park police said Best had been missing since April 15 when she was found Monday evening in the minivan in Grayslake. Authorities said drugs or alcohol appeared to have played a role in her death.

Best voluntarily drove to a Waukegan motel on North Point Boulevard after dropping off one of her two children at a friend's apartment in Round Lake Park on April 15, according to police.

After she died at the motel, police said, her body was taken by “acquaintances” and driven in her own van to the Grayslake parking lot in the 1900 block of Country Drive where her body was left.

Police said initial blood tests performed on Best revealed traces of opiates.

Best was reported missing April 16 by her husband, Clinton Best, which prompted a 10-day search. Authorities described the Bests as high school sweethearts who met when they were 15 years old.

Clinton Best opened a Facebook account after his wife was declared missing. Tips from the Facebook site were checked by investigators, police said.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Clinton Best thanked Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko, detectives and others involved in his wife's case.

“I would also like to thank all of the media outlets who carried the story in the help of getting the word out to help in the search for Melissa,” he said. “I would also like to thank all the people from all across America who check out the Facebook site and offered their love and prayers to me and my family during this troubling and sad time in our lives.”

Authorities said Melissa Ann Best did not have a known drug problem, but she had previous troubles with alcohol. They didn't elaborate.