NATCHEZ — The case of an Adams county woman found dead beneath a porch after she reportedly ran nude down a county road has preliminarily been ruled a homicide.

Investigators said they found 34-year-old Ashley Coleman Touchstone unclothed at 108 Tate Road, at the beginning of their investigation late Maya 4 and into early May 5. Adams County Coroner James Lee pronounced her dead at 1:03 a.m. that Saturday.

Preliminary autopsy reports indicate Touchstone died of blunt force trauma and strangulation, Lee said Friday.

“This is just another tragedy for someone that young and for her family,” Lee said.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office investigates every death as a homicide until proven otherwise, ACSO Chief Deputy Jerry Brown said.

Word of the autopsy results hinting at foul play, however, did not reach the sheriff’s office until Friday, one week after the investigation began.

Investigators will not definitely rule the case as a homicide until a final autopsy report, both Brown and Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said.

As of Friday afternoon, the sheriff’s office had conducted interviews and assembled a list of people potentially involved in the death.

“We have questioned some people already, and the investigation is ongoing,” Brown said. “We do have some persons of interest.”

Brown could not explain a reason for Touchstone’s condition when investigators found her, though investigators are looking into whether drugs played a role in the case, he said.