Lt. Rich Thompson from the North Platte Police Department reported that emergency personnel responded to the 2100 block of West 14th Street on August 3rd, 2011 at 3:24 p.m. in response to an unresponsive 45 year old female. The female, identified as Esther M. Smith, was transported to Great Plains Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. Following an investigation, North Platte Police arrested 40 year old Elizabeth Crawford for Distribution of a Controlled Substance and Manslaughter. Drugs are suspected in Smith’s death. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled for August 5th; the investigation continues.