Dumont Woman Died Of Heart Disease, Sister Says

Closter native Kristine Zutell had "barely any alcohol and no drugs in her system, according to the Medical Examiner," Kathleen Zutell Murphy said. "She died from myocarditis."

Zutell, 43, who previously had heart problems, worked for the sheriff's Office before retiring with back and shoulder injuries.

She underwent back surgery two months ago and began taking new medication the day she died on Sept. 11, said her brother-in-law, Sean Murphy.

That night she went out and, according to friends, had "maybe two beers," he told Daily Voice.

After texts and calls weren't returned, Kathleen Murphy, and Zutell's boyfriend went to the apartment on Sept. 14 and found her.

"The Medical Examiner found nothing wrong" during a preliminary review, Sean Murphy said. "There was no trauma to her body, no sign of aneurysm."

A check of Zutell's remaining medications proved consistent with prescribed use and not overuse, he added.

Zutell had been a volunteer with the Closter and Demarest volunteer ambulance squads and was a big music fan.

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