Mother dies on church retreat from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

FORT THOMAS, Ky. (WXIX/Gray News) - Members of a Kentucky church are mourning a youth group leader who died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning while on a retreat.

Kentucky State Police say two women from Grace Fellowship Church were on a youth group retreat at The Bluegrass Palace in Langley over the weekend when they were found unresponsive.

Troopers say the women were taken to the hospital for treatment of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, WXIX reports.

Kara Hanks, a mother and one of the leaders of the youth group, was dead by the time she arrived at the hospital, according to Floyd County Coroner Greg Nelson.

The other woman is still in the hospital, said Jeff Blankenship, an attorney for the church. He said the children on the retreat appeared unharmed.

“Our ministry staff is counseling now with the families and the youth who attended the retreat,” said Blakenship in a statement. “We grieve the loss of Kara, as a true servant of Jesus Christ, and recognize the deep impact the loss will have on the hearts and persons of all our congregation, especially the youth who worked with this very special lady closely in your youth ministry.”

Nelson said he couldn’t confirm an official cause of death until after the toxicology report and an autopsy were finished.

Troopers say no foul play is suspected.

Copyright 2024 WXIX via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.