Coroner reveals cause of death for woman who went missing after leaving a Planet Fitness

LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) – Authorities say a Lexington County woman who was found dead after being reported missing over the summer died of natural causes.

Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher shared the results of Elena Moore’s autopsy during a press conference on Friday.

Moore’s cause of death was linked to various previously diagnosed heart conditions, which included an irregular heartbeat, with the autopsy not finding any signs of traumatic injuries or physical trauma, the coroner said.

“Beautiful girl. Such a tragic story,” Fisher added.

According to Fisher, the findings came from a pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina who specializes in cardiovascular health.

“It is the opinion of the pathologist that the decedent died as a result of complications of cardiac dysrhythmias with premature ventricular contractions. The manner of death is natural,” Fisher said.

Lexington County coroner also shared details about Moore’s history that were provided with permission from her family.

Some of those details included the irregular heartbeat as well as behavioral issues and problems with alcohol dating back to her teenage years.

The coroner said that Moore was additionally diagnosed with mental health disorders in 2025.

“This is mental illness. Her heart condition — she probably could have lived through that heart condition with her medication, but she was in a full mental health crisis,” Fisher said.

Moore was first reported missing in early June, with neighbors notably capturing her on doorbell cameras appearing confused, picking up a delivery driver’s food and looking through packages at an apartment complex.

After she was located, Moore was admitted to an unnamed inpatient mental health facility.

Fisher said Moore was diagnosed there with an “unspecified psychosis” and was said to be in a “full mental crisis.” She also said that Moore did not seem to be getting her prescribed heart medication at the facility.

Five days after being admitted, Moore was released. Her husband, Brannon Slice, was called and offered to pick her up.

Fisher, however, said the facility instead arranged a taxi for Moore.

That taxi was said to have taken Moore to a CVS Pharmacy where she used to work. Fisher claimed Moore had left her wallet but reportedly left the store with bottles of wine and water, promising to pay for the items later.

Fisher said Moore had also called police, claiming the taxi driver had been stalking her, but neither Moore nor the driver were found by responding officers.

Moore was then seen nearby, in places such as a Planet Fitness and a nearby parking lot. She was eventually seen crossing North Lake Drive, near the area where her body was found.

Moore also allegedly took clothes that didn’t belong to her from the Planet Fitness, along with an AirPod.

Fisher said Moore’s toxicology showed a .089 blood-alcohol level, but noted that excessive heat during the time could have also played a role in that finding, along with the wine she took from CVS.

The coroner said Slice was never criminally implicated in the investigation.

“So I would hope that now some of these people that were doing justice for Elena, I hope they will continue to do justice for Elena and only focus on the fact that mental illness needs to be addressed now. Mental illness. Let’s have some justice for those folks who are suffering with mental illness,” Fisher said.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division closed its missing persons case into Moore, but it’s unclear if the agency closed its investigation specifically into Moore’s death.