SPOKANE -- A Washington State University graduate apparently left to die in the middle of a rural Palouse road two weeks ago is starting to talk again.
Police believe Kristen Grindley, 23, may have fallen or been thrown from a vehicle.
Officers questioned several people including her boyfriend, but haven't made any arrests.
According to friends and family who post on Kristen's Facebook page, Grindley is able to hold her head up and even give high-fives.
But on Saturday, someone close to Kristen posted a message saying Kristen got her neck brace off on Friday, and that all her tubes were removed.
The user also posted that Kristen sat in a chair for 22 minutes, and spoke to her mom.
Some others posted that Kristen is able to say "I love you Mommy" and respond to simple commands.
It's not only good news for Grindley, it's also what Whitman County Sheriff Brett Meyers has been waiting to hear.
Investigators say they've been waiting to Grindley to start talking before they make plans to interview her about what happened the night she was found bleeding and unconcious.
But Sheriff Meyers said his officers aren't in any rush. They expected it could take anywhere from two weeks to a month to talk to Grindley and they don't expect to question her before Thanksgiving.
Sheriff Meyers says he's also not betting on Grindley giving officers all of the answers they're looking for. He says he doesn't know what she'll be able to remember because her injuries are so severe.
