11-02-2025
Haven woman's death ruled homicide
The young Schuylkill Haven woman found dead Jan. 6 in her home died of fentanyl poisoning, Schuylkill County Coroner David Moylan III said Monday.
'I'm ruling it as death at the hands of another human being, which is homicide,' Moylan said of the death of Haley Mills, 25.
According to toxicology results returned from NMS Labs, Horsham, Mills had fentanyl and other drugs in her system, he said.
Dr. Wayne Ross, the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy, agreed with Moylan's conclusion, he said.
'The fentanyl was in a lethal range,' he said, without being specific.
The toxicology results also showed methamphetamine, amphetamine and alcohol were in Mills' system, but in lower concentrations, said Moylan, who informed Mill's mother of the findings via Zoom Monday.
Initial autopsy results had indicated the cause of death was diabetic ketoacidosis, and authorities did not suspect foul play had a role in the young woman's death. However, police emphasized those results were preliminary, and the investigation is ongoing.
Police suspect Mills had been dead for 48 hours when a friend found her in her living room at 20 Parkway.
State police had said her death appeared to be 'definitely suspicious' and signs of a struggle appeared to be evident and that the victim being found on the stairs appears to be 'consistent with a struggle.'
A search warrant of the victim's property approved by Magisterial District Judge David Plachko Monday seeks items that could be helpful in the investigation.
State police Trooper Kody Rittenbaugh said a friend of Mills, Hugo Noel, was the last person to see the victim alive. Noel told police he spent all day New Year's day with Mills. He left her Jan. 2 between 5 and 6 p.m., but said she was OK.
He told police he went to her house at 2 p.m. Jan. 6 at the request of family members. He found Mills unresponsive on the stairwell and called police.
Money was found strewn about the living room, and Mills was wearing only a sweatshirt.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Schuylkill Haven State Police at 570-754-4600.
Meanwhile, A GoFundMe page, 'Help Haley rest in peace,' seeks $4,000 to defray funeral costs. So far, $1,595 has been raised.
