The whole "is it fixed" thing here highlights just how challenging bugs can be for the developer. Its not like Ethel was always bugged. I had two playthroughs . . . one bugged . . . and the other worked fine. And I saw the same thing on youtube lets plays.
The vast majority of these types of bugs only occur, some of the time, or in certain circumstances. I'm glad Larian has hopefully ironed out this one.
Also . . . if you don't care about looting Ethel . . .. well lets just say the fight can be over really quickly!