An 81-year-old woman found dead in her house at 226 N. Main St. on July 12 died of natural causes, authorities said.
No foul play was involved in the death of Ramona Altman Lariscy, said Sylvania Police Lt. Tony A. Taylor. He said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which had been asked to help in the case, has closed its investigation.
Neighbors who had not seen Lariscy for a few days and were unable to get her to come to the door asked police to check on her. They broke in and found her body.
During the investigation, police cars, fire trucks and yellow crime scene tape surrounded the house, which is on the east side of Main Street, just north of downtown Sylvania. The investigation worried some neighbors, who feared someone might have harmed the woman who was seen frequently walking in the neighborhood, going to buy a newspaper or groceries.
Taylor advised people to check on their elderly neighbors frequently, especially when the heat index is higher than 100 degrees.
Lariscy was buried on July 16 at the Screven Memorial Cemetery. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sylvania. Survivors include her two sons and daughter-in-law: Joseph E. and Ruthann Lariscy of Athens and Terry Lariscy of Atlanta; and five grandchildren: Joseph Lariscy of New York and Rachel Lariscy, Mary Lariscy, Kevin Lariscy and Betsy Lariscy, all of Athens.