(L.A.) Jennifer Townsend, 49, Died at a Residence

Case Number: 2025-01989

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 49-year-old White/Caucasian female that occurred at her residence.

The coroner’s office has identified the woman as Jennifer Townsend.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death A: Asphyxia

Cause of Death B: Neck Compression

Cause of Death C: Probable Seizure

Cause of Death D: Intracranial Meningioma

RIP JENNIFER TOWNSEND (July 13, 1975 – January 30, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Thursday at 2:53 a.m.

The Department of Medical Examiner publicly disclosed the CoD ruling on July 14.

Intracranial meningioma is the most common type of primary brain tumor, accounting for about 30% of all brain tumors. It arises from the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. These tumors are usually benign (non-cancerous) and slow-growing.

It is possible for a meningioma to indirectly contribute to a fall by causing neurological symptoms such as seizures, weakness, or loss of consciousness. Seizures are a well-documented complication of meningioma, with studies showing that over 33% of patients may experience seizures during the course of their disease.

If a seizure or neurological deficit caused by the meningioma led to a fall, and the individual landed in a position where the neck was compressed — for example, becoming trapped or wedged in a way that obstructed the airway or blood flow — this sequence could result in asphyxia due to neck compression. While this is not a common or direct cause of death from meningioma itself, the tumor could be a contributing factor in a chain of events leading to accidental positional asphyxia.