By By: Staff Writer
Paynesville — Police are investigating the death of Paynesville City Mayor Robert Bestman’s fiancée, who died after reportedly collapsing during a visit to his home.
According to accounts, the woman “had gone to see him when she suddenly began yelling, became unresponsive, and was later rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.”
Mayor Bestman “reportedly informed the Zone 8 Police Station and was later taken to police headquarters as investigations continue,” sources familiar with the matter said.
Some family members are said to be attributing the death to a “preexisting asthmatic condition.” Police have not publicly confirmed the cause of death and are awaiting an autopsy report.
The case has drawn attention over “the quiet manner in which the police are conducting the investigation.” Comparisons have been made to the Samuel Jackson case, where “the police might have invited the media to the scene” early. In that case, Jackson “was indicted over the death of his wife despite reportedly not being at home when she collapsed and despite claims that she had preexisting medical conditions.” Reports in the Bestman case “suggest he was present in the same room with the deceased, while Jackson reportedly was not even home.”
“The question now is: how will the police handle this matter? Consistency and fairness in the administration of justice are important,” one commentary noted. “It is never good to politicize every tragedy.”
The investigation remains ongoing. No charges have been announced.
