Benton County investigating death of 51-year-old mother at her Badger Canyon home

Investigators are trying to determine what caused the death of a Tri-Cities mother in her Badger Canyon home earlier this week.

Emergency crews were called to a house on Ridge View Lane after Nicole Ann “Nikki” Thorpe was found collapsed just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Benton County Coroner Bill Leach said.

Her husband, Dr. Michael L. Thorpe, a Trios Southridge Hospital emergency medicine doctor with 20+ years experience, found her and tried to revive her, while calling 911, said Leach.

He performed CPR until medics and sheriff’s deputies could arrive, he said.

The circumstances around Thorpe’s death, including a recent medical procedure and being just 51, prompted an investigation by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Nikki Thorpe was from Othello and was a former nurse, according to online records.

An autopsy is scheduled for next week.

“We would (have an autopsy) on pretty much any case under these circumstances,” Leach said.