Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness has assigned two homicide detectives to investigate the apparent water-intoxication death of Jennifer Lea Strange, the woman who died after drinking almost two gallons of water for the Hold Your Wee for a Wii contest at KDND/Sacramento. Sheriff's officials declined to probe the death for several days, but McGinness told the Sacramento Bee that he was motivated to call for a full investigation after reading excerpts of the on-air water-drinking contest.

In audio excerpts posted on the Bee Web site, a caller to the Morning Rave show warns that people can die from drinking too much water. "Those people that are drinking all that water can get sick and possibly die from water intoxication," says the caller. The host responds, "We're aware of that. If they get to the point where they have to throw up, then they throw up and they're out of the contest before they die, so that's good right?" Another one of the morning show personalities jokes, "They signed releases so we're not responsible. It's ok."

Meanwhile, KTXL-TV in Sacramento reports that attorneys for the family of Strange said they plan to file a wrongful death lawsuit against KDND. More details should be announced today.

McGinness stressed that a final cause of death for Strange has not officially been determined, but the coroner's office said the death is "consistent with" water intoxication. And many facts still need to be uncovered. "Evidence of criminality is a high standard," he told the Bee. "Just because we're attempting to resolve some issues here should not suggest a criminal prosecution is forthcoming." However, detectives will explore whether charges are in order for involuntary manslaughter.

Entercom Sacramento spokesman Charles Sipkins told the newspaper that station staff will work with sheriff's officials. "While we have not heard from the sheriff's office, the company will of course cooperate with their investigation," Sipkins said.

Ten KDND employees were fired over the contest, including all five members of the Morning Rave show and station manager Steve Weed.