Rebecca Westergaard Rigney Obituary, Death; – An Ohio woman tragically lost her life on Christmas Day after being attacked and partially consumed by two pigs near her residence, as reported by various news outlets.
Rebecca Westergaard Rigney, aged 75, was discovered deceased with significant injuries to her legs on the front steps of her home located on Mink Street in Pataskala. The police were alerted after she failed to attend Christmas celebrations at her niece’s home in Norton, Ohio, prompting a welfare check on her property on December 25, 2024, according to reports from The Columbus Dispatch and CBS affiliate WBNS.
Upon entering the residence around 3 p.m., officers encountered a large pig inside, as noted by WBNS. The Dispatch indicated that authorities suspect Westergaard Rigney was attacked by two pigs that were “roaming” in the vicinity of her home. These pigs were reported to belong to a neighbor, and police also discovered at least two additional pigs at the neighbor’s property.
The Licking County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Westergaard Rigney died from “bleeding out due to extensive superficial injuries inflicted by livestock,” and her death has been classified as accidental. It was also reported that she had existing health issues.
Authorities informed the pigs’ owner that the animals would be “quarantined until further notice,” as reported by WBNS. The neighbor has not faced any criminal charges, according to The Dispatch. Pataskala Police Chief Bruce Brooks described the incident as a “horrible, horrible situation.”
Brooks remarked, “If it was a pit bull or a Rottweiler, or any of the other 15 dogs considered semi-aggressive, we would have a clear answer immediately. However, dealing with farm animals is an unprecedented situation for us.” Neighbor David Mullings expressed his astonishment, stating, “It was pretty crazy, wild because there’s not just wild pigs roaming. I’ve never seen pigs except for the market down the street, so it’s very confusing. This is a very quiet neighborhood.”
