Johnson County woman's death believed to be result of a dog attack

HARTMAN (KATV) — A Johnson County woman's death is suspected to be the result of a dog attack, according to the Johnson County coroner.

Sharon Lindemann, 75, was found unconscious by her sister on Monday afternoon in the driveway to the home the two shared just east of the Hartman community.

According to 911 audio recordings, a Johnson County 911 operator could barely understand the Lindemann's sister when she called for assistance for her elderly sibling.

"My sister's unconscious in the driveway," the sister cried into the phone. "I don't know what's wrong, but she's got a big gash in her neck."

EMS was dispatched to the family's home on Private Road 2227 just off Hwy. 64, but paramedics couldn't do anything to help. Pam Cogan, Johnson County coroner, said she believes Lindemann was likely dead for four to five hours before she was discovered by her sister when she got home from work.

"When I got there, she was laying in the gravel driveway and had obvious wounds and gashes to her limbs - mostly from what we could see to her arms, her legs," recalled Cogan. "Most of it was to the front of her and the gashes and wounds were consistent with what I would consider to be a canine."

No dog was actually discovered at the scene, however Cogan recalled seeing paw prints around the body and neighbors had told her that they had seen dogs roaming the area. Cogan said there's nothing preventing dogs from roaming the area since there's no leash law in that part of Johnson County.

"I would hope somebody would be a responsible pet owner and check to see how their dog is around people and keep them put up."

"I mean there's no reason for them to run and roam, especially that close to the highway," said Cogan, adding that it's also for the safety of the animals themselves.

Cogan has been county coroner for the last four years and said Lindemann's death was likely the most gruesome she's ever had to investigate.

"Just from the perspective of the amount of pain that the person must have gone through, and it was certainly a lot of injuries to the body," said Cogan. "It was not a pleasant sight at all."

Authorities believe Lindemann was picking up rocks in her driveway that had been displaced by workers repairing a water line, when she's believed to have been attacked. Where Lindemann's body was located is blocked by trees and high grass, likely making passersby unable to see the woman needing help.

No foul play is suspected, but the woman's body has been sent to the State Crime Lab in Little Rock for a full autopsy.