By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

Until toxicology test results are complete, the cause of Kevin Hackerott's death in Hill City remains a mystery.

Results of an autopsy last week were inconclusive.

Authorities were called to Hackerott's apartment a week ago, where they found the 48-year-old man's body.

The autopsy was ordered because the death was considered suspicious, in that there were no apparent underlying health issues.

But there also were no obvious signs of foul play.

"While the test results are not finished, and we have no official cause of death," Graham County Sheriff Cole Presley said in a statement, "I can report that there is no evidence of extensive violence, the use of a weapon or a blunt force trauma."

Toxicology tests are being conducted at the KBI laboratory in Topeka, which covers the entire state. How long it will take before the tests are complete is uncertain.

"When we send in blood for a DUI, it takes 30 days," Presley said. "I can't imagine it would take that long in this case."

In the meantime, the sheriff's office must wait. It already has wrapped up its physical investigation.

While Presley said it's still possible that Hackerott's death was a result of natural causes, he's not ruling out anything.

"I don't want to anticipate, because I don't know what's going to come back," he said.

In the wake of Hackerott's death, a series of rumors complicated the investigation, and sent Hill City residents behind locked doors.

Early on, there were false reports concerning Hackerott, and that a would-be assailant was on the loose.

There was no truth to the reports, and Presley has been working to assure Hill City residents that no one was on the loose.

A string of rumors concerning the manner of Hackerott's death also circulated.

Presley said it's likely the rumors started because of how rare the KBI or Kansas Highway Patrol troopers are enlisted to aid in an investigation.

"It's very seldom we have the KBI" involved in an investigation, he said.

Presley said authorities also canvassed the neighborhood shortly after learning of Hackerott's death, and used troopers from outside the area to help out.

Asking questions of neighbors is routine in the course of an investigation, he said, but it's not something that happens often in a town the size of Hill City.

Since then, Presley said he's talked with school officials, and they have talked with parents to assure residents there's little cause for concern.