Lake County Councilman wife’s death ruled ‘undetermined’: coroner

The Lake County Coroner’s Office officially ruled the cause of death of a Lake County councilman’s wife Tuesday as “undetermined.”

Nicole Mabon-Brewer, 47, of Gary, was found dead on September 3. Gary Police Department officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of 20th Place shortly before 11:25 a.m.

“This case is still open and awaiting additional results from the Indiana State Police Senior Investigative Unit,” Lake County Coroner David Pastrick said in a statement. “There is insufficient evidence or substantiation as to whether the death was an accident, suicide or homicide at this time.”

Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield, a spokesman for the agency, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of the investigation.

Mabon-Brewer’s husband, Lake County Councilman Ron Brewer, declined to comment by phone.

“It’s been a very stressful time for me and my family,” he said, adding that her death was a “very sad situation.”

An autopsy performed Sept. 4 determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound, according to a release from the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

Lake County Prosecutor Bernie Carter requested the appointment of a special prosecutor in September.

At the request of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police “assumed full responsibility for the conduct of the investigation,” according to a statement released shortly after his death.

“This step reflects a shared commitment by the Gary Police Department and the Lake County District Attorney’s Office to ensure transparency, impartiality and avoid any potential conflicts of interest in handling this sensitive matter,” according to the release.

Mabon-Brewer filed for divorce in August, according to county court records.

Post-Tribune writer Alex Kukulka contributed.

mcolias@post-trib.com