Coroner's report

Office of the Yoknapatawpha County Coroner

DATE and HOUR AUTOPSY PERFORMED:
3/17/2021, 8:00 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 PRELIMINARY REPORT OF AUTOPSY

Name:
 COLLIER, Daniel

Coroner's Case #:
 2021-031

Date of Birth:
 05/12/2000

Age:
 20

Race:
 White

Sex:
 Male

Date of Death:
 1/2/2021–1/15/2021 (estimated)

Body Identified by:
 Aaron Hargroves, DMD, by dental record examination on 3/17/2021

Case #
 001183-16C-2021

Investigative Agency:
 Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department

EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT

 N/A

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION – SUMMARY

The autopsy is begun at 8:00 a.m. on March 17, 2021. The body is presented in a black body bag. At the time of examination, the body is rolled in a green tarp and clothed in a black t-shirt, blue jeans, gray boxer briefs, white socks, and black shoes.

The body is that of a male approximately 68 inches in length, weighing 130 pounds, and appearing generally consistent with the stated age of 20. The body is in a severe state of decomposition due to water submersion. Skin is missing on his head, face, portions of the torso and extremities.

There is a scant amount of brown hair, about 2 inches in length, remaining on the posterior of the scalp. Eyes, nose, and majority of the pinnas are absent due to decomposition and aquatic animal activity.

The mouth contains natural dentition with both upper central incisors, both bottom central incisors, and the upper left lateral incisor absent from sockets. The remaining teeth are otherwise well-maintained. Evidence of cranial and facial fractures which are not of a decompositional nature are described in the injury section below.

The chest and abdomen show no trauma other than decompositional and tissue injury that can be attributed to aquatic organisms. The external genitalia is male and likewise subjected to decompositional factors but otherwise unremarkable.

The upper and lower extremities show signs of water disarticulation. Bone is exposed at wrists and ankles. Left hand is nearly amputated at the wrist. Left index and left middle fingers are absent and the left ring finger has been amputated at the proximal phalanx.

There are no residual scars, markings, or tattoos.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION – SUMMARY

Muscle of the chest and abdominal wall are intact and show severe decomposition. No fractures of ribs or sternum. Severe fractures of the spine described below. No fibrosis, tumors, or cysts noted.

Heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys are in their usual anatomical relationships and are unremarkable save their severe state of decomposition. Lungs show no signs that would indicate a drowning death.

The stomach contains 30 cc of watery fluid and sand. The intestines and appendix are present and unremarkable.

The brain is intact and has the severe decompositional changes noted above in the other organs. No tumors or abnormalities in the midbrain. The medulla, pons, and cerebellum are likewise unremarkable. Frontal lobe of the brain shows injury from blunt force trauma described below.

DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES - SUMMARY

(1) Blunt force traumatic injury with multiple facial and cranial fractures resulting in craniocerebral injury. Comminuted fractures of the glabella and nasal bone are observed. Non-continuous fracture lines suggest 3 to 4 blows to the forehead. Fractures at points of impact average 1½ inches in diameter. Numerous bone fragments from the fractures penetrated the frontal dura and brain tissue. Depths of penetration were superficial to ¼ inch. The blunt object used to deliver the blows was narrow, no more than 2 inches in width, lacking a sharp edge, suggesting the object was cylindrical in nature.

Opinion: These are non-fatal perimortem injuries.

(2) The spine shows hyperextension injuries due to cranial compression. Fractures of the C2 vertebra at the superior and anterior aspect of the right lateral mass were observed. Fractures of the C5 vertebra at the right lamina, right pedicle, and right transverse process were observed. Anterior subluxation of the C4 vertebra on C5 vertebra measuring 5.5 mm suggests significant ligamentous damage.

Opinion: These are fatal injuries.

EVIDENCE COLLECTED

1. Samples of Hair, Blood (type A+), Bile, and Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen)

2. Ten (10) autopsy photographs

3. Eight (8) postmortem x-rays

4. One (1) men's t-shirt, black

5. One (1) pair men's jeans, blue denim

6. One (1) pair men's boxer briefs, gray

7. Two (2) men's socks, white

8. Two (2) men's sneakers, black

Clothing, hair sample, and blood sample transferred to Mississippi State Crime Lab for further analysis.

OPINION

Time of Death: Degree of body decomposition and last eyewitness statements indicate an estimated time of death between 1/2/2021 and 1/15/2021.

Immediate Cause of Death: Hyperextension of the spine due to compression injury.

Manner of Death: Undetermined

//Manish Agarwal, M.D.
Yoknapatawpha County Coroner's Office
March 22, 2021