Carson lingerie store owner found dead

The owner of a local lingerie store was found dead in her home Wednesday morning in what officials say was likely an accidental death.

Joan Lou "Summer" Sapp, 36, was found by her roommate in their Century Drive home. She reportedly had a bag near her head.

Although deputies were called at 6:45 a.m. to reports of a suicide, Chief Deputy Scott Burau said there were indications that Sapp may have been inhaling nitrous oxide. The gas, available in retail stores, produces a euphoric high when inhaled.

"We aren't sure whether or not it was nitrous oxygen," he said. "It may be a couple of weeks before the results are back from a coroner's report.

"We don't have an answer yet. We aren't leaning toward homicide."

Sapp owned and operated Romantic Image, a lingerie store at 2050 North Carson Street.

Sapp is survived by a 3 1/2-year-old daughter who was placed in the custody of her father, George Sapp, by child protective services workers.