Autopsy: Suspect In Yarmolenko Death Died Of Natural Causes

GASTONIA, N.C.,None — New information has been released about a murder suspect who died just hours before he was scheduled to stand trial.

The Gaston Gazette obtained the autopsy report that reveals Neal Cassada died from complications related to heart disease.

Cassada, 55, died at his home in Mount Holly in October

Cassada was charged with the 2008 murder of UNCC student Ira Yarmolenko, but the district attorney dropped those charges when he died.

Cassada's cousin, Mark Carver, also faces murder charges in her death. Carver's trial will begin later this year.

During a jailhouse interview in 2008, Carver told Eyewitness News he didn't kill Yarmolenko and that he had nothing to do with her murder.

Previous Stories:

• Defendant In High-Profile Murder Case Dead

• Irina "Ira" Yarmolenko's Death: Timeline Of Events

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