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Police: Palms Woman Used Chainsaw To Commit Suicide

PALMS (CBS) — A Westside woman was found dead on Thursday after she apparently killed herself by using a chainsaw, police said.

KNX 1070's John Brooks reports the gruesome death was discovered early Thursday morning by the victim's sister.

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Valerie Nash, 47, was found about 12:40 a.m. by her sister in the bedroom of her townhome in the 3600 block of Keystone Avenue near Overland Avenue in Palms, said Sgt. Richard Parks of the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Station.

Nash was discovered with a chainsaw wound on her neck, Parks said.

"At this point, we're investigating it as a suicide, as she left a suicide note," he added.

Initial reports claimed the victim was found with the chainsaw tied to her neck, but Parks said those reports were inaccurate.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said authorities will try to determine whether she had a history of depression and whether she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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