Page 157 - CFDI Guide

Sharp Force Death (3)

The decedent was found in his apartment bedroom. His co-habitating girlfriend had left two days before after an

argument. He was found laying supine on the floor, wearing only shorts. He had several incised injuries to his neck.
There was blood on the floor, bed, and bloodspatter on the wall. There were no signs of forced entry, and the doors
were locked from the inside with deadbolt and knob locks both. There were no signs of a struggle or missing items.

Other than the bedroom, the apartment was not unusual. The decedent had a long history of alcohol and other drug

abuse. Law enforcement contacted his girlfriend, by cell phone, over two hours away. She reported leaving after their
argument. She also reported leaving her purse, but afraid to go back.

Law enforcement photographed the interior of the apartment. They photographed all rooms and evidence. This

including a knife found under the decedent when examined by the medical examiner’s investigator. The knife was
consistent with a set found in a kitchen drawer, which was open. On the kitchen counter were a pack of cigarettes and

keys on a ring. In the upstairs bathroom was found a purse. In the bathroom were personal care items for the decedent
and his girlfriend. No drugs were found, liquor bottles were found in the livingroom and bedroom.

At autopsy the decedent had several incised wounds across his neck, determined to be from left to right, most were

shallow. The carotid artery had been cut and was determined to be the fatal injury. There were no other injuries or
trauma reported. Toxicology was positive for alcohol at a level twice the state DUI level (.08 – level was .18). The manner

of death was undetermined, and the cause of death was due to incised wounds to the neck.

The defendant was arrested after decedent’s relatives found her purse, after cleaning the apartment. In the purse was
found a hair brush with bloody hair on it. DNA from the blood was to the decedent, and other hair to the defendant.

Several issues were determined. The autopsy report listed Undermined manner of death and was changed to Homicide

after the defendant’s arrest. Review of the photographs found the defendant’s purse as she stated having left it. The
purse was also photographed, but not collected. There was no visible brush or hair. Also observed in photographs were

a brush on the bathroom counter. The only blood hair found and reported was the decedent’s – no other locations.
Further analysis found the injuries to be consistent with suicide, and additional information for the decedent found he

had previous suicidal ideations and attempts. He had also called 911 the night his girlfriend left, stating there were

people in his driveway coming to kill him. He hung up, police drove by the area and reported not finding any vehicles
matching the description he gave the 911 operator.

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