Coroner's report

Office of the Yoknapatawpha County Coroner

DATE and HOUR AUTOPSY PERFORMED:
07/11/2020 8:30 A.M. by

Manish Agarwal, M.D.
555 Jackson Avenue
Oxford, MS 38655
662-234-XXXX (FAX 662-234-XXXX)

Assistant:
Victoria Witte, M.D.

Full Autopsy Performed

SUMMARY REPORT OF AUTOPSY

Name:
FONTAINE, Philip

Coroner's Case #:
2020-253

Date of Birth:
06/03/1955

Age:
65

Race:
White

Sex:
Male

Date of Death:
07/10/2020

Body Identified by:
Ashley Fontaine, wife of the deceased

Case #
003419-11G-2020

Investigative Agency:
Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department

EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT

N/A

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY

The autopsy is begun at 8:30 a.m. on July 11, 2020. The body is presented in a black body bag. When first viewed, the deceased is clothed in a blue three-piece suit, a white shirt, yellow tie, and black shoes. Jewelry included a wedding ring, pinkie ring, tie tack, and pocket watch. Both of the hands are bagged.

The body is that of a normally developed white male of average nutritional status, measuring 71 inches and weighing 170 pounds, and appearing generally consistent with the state age of 65 years. Preservation is fair on the unembalmed body. The body is cold to the touch following refrigeration.

Lividity is fixed on the right lateral surface of the body. The eyes are closed. The irises are blue. The sclerae are clear. The pupils measure 0.4 cm. The hair is gray and straight approximately 6 inches in length. A gray beard and mustache are present.

Hematomas are present in the occipital region (Injury #1), on the left zygomatic area (Injury #2), and on the left mandibular area (Injury #3). The neck is unremarkable.

A hematoma is present above the right breast (Injury #4). A sharp force injury is observed on the left side of the abdomen (Injury #5). The back displays lividity on the right side.

The genitalia is that of an adult male, with the penis circumcised and no evidence of injury. Limbs are equal and symmetrically developed, and the fingernail beds are blue.

On the left arm and hand, hematomas are present on the dorsal surface of the forearm (Injury #6) and over the distal knuckle of the index finger (Injury #7).

On the right arm and hand, hematomas are present on the palmar surface of the forearm (Injury #8) and on the dorsal surface of the hand over the proximal knuckle of the middle finger (Injury #9). Superficial abrasions are also noted in this area.

There are no residual scars, markings, or tattoos.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION - SUMMARY

The sharp force injury of the abdomen passes through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and through the peritoneal tissue. The wound path is 10.4cm and is associated with fresh hemorrhage and bruising. The path is from top to bottom and terminates in the abdominal aorta.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: The brain weighs 1,360 grams and is within normal limits. The vasculature of the basilar and cerebral arterial circulatory systems are unremarkable. With the dura removed, the base of the skull is free of fractures.

SKELETAL SYSTEM: A hairline fracture of metacarpal 3 on the right hand is observed by X-ray.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The oral cavity shows no lesions. The mucosa is intact and there are no injuries to the lips, teeth, or gums. There is no obstruction of the airway. The mucosa of the epiglottis, glottis, piriform sinuses, trachea and major bronchi are anatomic. No injuries and no mucosal lesions are seen. The hyoid bone, the thyroid, and the cricoid cartilages are intact. The lungs are unremarkable. The lungs weigh: right, 410 grams; left, 330 grams.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 285 grams, and has a normal size and configuration. Moderate signs of atherosclerosis are present.

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: The mucosa and wall of the esophagus are intact and gray-pink, without lesions or injuries. The gastric mucosa is intact and pink without injury. Approximately 150 ml of partially digested semisolid food is found in the stomach. The mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum are intact.

URINARY SYSTEM: The kidneys weigh: Left, 130 grams; right, 135 grams. The kidneys are anatomic in size, shape, and location and are without lesions.

MALE GENITAL SYSTEM: The testicles, the penis, the prostate gland are anatomic to dissection.

TOXICOLOGY: Samples of right pleural blood and bile are submitted for toxicologic analysis. Stomach contents are saved.

SEROLOGY: A sample of right pleural blood is submitted in the EDTA tube. Routine toxicologic studies were ordered.

DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY

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(1) Hematoma measuring 3.3 cm by 2.2 cm on the occipital region of the scalp.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal perimortem injury.

(2) Hematoma measuring 2.4 cm by 4.5 cm on the left zygomatic area of the face.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal perimortem injury.

(3) Hematoma measuring 4.3 cm by 2.1 cm on the left mandibular area of the face.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal perimortem injury.

(4) Hematoma measuring 5.3 cm by 3.0 cm above the right breast.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal perimortem injury.

(5) Sharp force injury measuring 3.3 cm in length (sagittally oriented) on the left side of the abdomen, located 46 inches above the left heel. The superior end of the wound is wider than the inferior end, which is tapered.  

Opinion: This is a fatal injury.

(6) Hematoma measuring 4.2 cm by 3.2 cm on the dorsal surface of the left forearm, located 10.3 cm above the wrist.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal perimortem injury.

(7) Hematoma measuring 1.2 cm by 1.4 cm over the distal knuckle of the index finger of the left hand.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal perimortem injury.

(8) Hematoma measuring 3.4 cm by 5.4 cm on the palmar surface of the right forearm, located 5.8 cm above the wrist.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal perimortem injury.

(9) Hematoma measuring 2.3 cm by 1.2 cm) on the dorsal surface of the right hand, located over the proximal knuckle of the middle finger.

Opinion: This is a non-fatal perimortem injury.

PRELIMINARY LABORATORY DATA

Gunshot residue (GSR) was detected on the right hand and right forehead.

Cerebrospinal fluid culture and sensitivity:

Gram stain: Unremarkable
Culture: No growth after 72 hours

Cerebrospinal fluid bacterial antigens:

Hemophilus influenza B: Negative
Streptococcus pneumoniae: Negative
N. Meningitidis: Negative
Neiserria meningitidis B/E. Coli K1: Negative

Drug Screen Results:

Urine screen {Immunoassay} was negative.
Ethanol: .01 gm/dl, Blood (Heart)
Ethanol: .01 gm/dl, Vitreous

Millicent Schmid, Ph.D.
Chief Toxicologist
July 13, 2020

NOTE: Additional analyses are ongoing.

EVIDENCE COLLECTED

1. Samples of hair, blood (type A+), urine, bile, and tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen)

2. Thirteen (13) autopsy photographs

3. Six (6) postmortem x-rays

4. Two (2) standard fingerprint cards

5. One (1) pair men's suit pants, blue

6. One (1) pair men's suit vest, blue

7. One (1) men's suit jacket, blue

8. One (1) men's dress shirt, long-sleeved, white

9. One (1) men's tie, yellow

10. One (1) pair men's underwear, red

11. One (1) pair men's shoes, black

12. One (1) men's wedding ring, gold

13. One (1) men's pinkie ring, gold with red stone

14. One (1) tie tack, gold

15. One (1) pocket watch, gold

Clothing, jewelry, hair sample, blood sample, urine sample, and one of the fingerprint cards transferred to Crime Lab for further analysis and comparison.

OPINION

Time of Death: Body temperature, rigor and livor mortis, and stomach contents approximate the time of death between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on 07/10/2020.

Immediate Cause of Death: Sharp force injury to the abdomen

Manner of Death: Homicide

//Manish Agarwal, M.D.
Yoknapatawpha County Coroner's Office
July 13, 2020


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