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Evidence: Coroner's Summary Report
 

OFFICE OF THE CORONER OF YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY

AUTOPSY REPORT - SUMMARY

Name: Melissa Dale Hammond
DOB: 7/18/75
Age: 25
Gender: F
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 117 lbs.
Path MD: J. Johnson
Type: COR
Autopsy No: 19A-2001
Death Date - Estimate: 1/26/01 between 16:00 and 18:00
Autopsy Date: 1/29/01 @ 08:00
 
Sheriff's Case No: 000524-27A-2001
 
Detailed reports on file.
 

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY:

The body is presented in a black body bag. At the time of examination, the body is clothed in a woven blue cotton. nightgown and matching robe, no shoes.

The body is that of a normally developed, well nourished Caucasian female measuring 62 inches in length, weighing 117 pounds, and appearing generally consistent with the stated age of twenty-five years. The body is cold and unembalmed with pronounced rigor and posterior fixed lividity.

The scalp is covered by long, 14" full, straight, brown hair. The body hair is female and average. The skull is symmetric and intact. The eyes are closed and the irises are brown. The teeth are natural and well maintained. The anterior chest is of normal contour and is intact. The breasts are female and contain no palpable masses. The abdomen is slightly protuberant and the pelvis is intact. The external genitalia are female and unremarkable. The back is symmetrical and intact. The upper and lower extremities are symmetric, normally developed and intact. Abrasions and contusions are noted on the hands and nails. Three fingernails on the right hand and two fingernails on the left hand are broken off at the fingertips. Injuries are antemortem or perimortem and are consistent with defensive wounds.

There are no residual scars, markings or tattoos.

DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY:

A lateral contusion measuring 3/16" in width was evident around the neck superior of the hyoid and traversing C4 at a 10 degree angle ascending anterior to posterior.  There is a ligature crossover pattern at C4, suggestive of a rearward ligature strangulation.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY:

All organs are within normal limits. No underlying pathological disease conditions or congenital anomalies were observed. Examination of the pelvic area indicates the subject had given birth to at least one full term child. Subject was not pregnant at the time of death.

No evidence of sexual intercourse, forced or consenual, is noted.

Rigor and livor mortis in addition to body temperature indicate a time of death of between approximately 16:00 and 18:00 on 1/26/01.

TOXICOLOGIC STUDIES:

Blood Ethanol: .02
Urine Drugs: None
Clinicopathologic Correlation: None
 

CAUSE OF DEATH:

I. Asphyxiation resulting from ligature strangulation.

//Jennifer Johnson, M.D.
Coroner
2/6/01

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