Body Skeletonized by Flesh-eating Fish

[hermantheshocker]

Brazil. An unidentified cadaver was recovered from the Madeira River, near an urban port of Porto Velho, in the Amazon region. The victim was a homeless person who was seen bathing in the river and had dived under the muddy waters before disappearing. Videos of this moment taken by witnesses confirmed these reports. The Military Fire Brigade was called to locate and retrieve the body, which happened approximately 17 hours after the disappearance.


Fig.1 Evidence of the circular lesions and the preservation of the scalp, eyeballs, external ear.


Fig.2 Skeletonized body found approximately 17 h after drowning.

At the autopsy, an already skeletonized but articulated body was observed. The body had male anthropo-logical characteristics; namely an android pelvis shape, a robust jaw and skull with prominent glabella and superciliary arches, and bulky mastoid processes. The eyeballs, scalp, ears, gingival mucosa, teeth, fingers, plantar region of the feet, articular cartilages, and, part of the anterior chest, abdomen, and thigh skin, were preserved. All internal organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavities were absent, and circular lesions observed on the body were compatible with ichthyofauna activity. Bone fractures or areas of contusion suggestive of violence or trauma causing death were not recorded. Although it was not possible to confirm the cause of death during the autopsy, as the internal organs were absent, asphyxiation by drowning was suspected as this was in keeping with eyewitness accounts of the events that took place prior to the man's disappearance.


Fig.3 Evidence of the circular lesions compatible with the ichthyofauna activity.


Fig.4 Evidence of the circular lesions compatible with the ichthyofauna activity.


Fig.5 The hand of the victim with preserved digits.


Fig.6 Plantar region of the feet.

A forensic dentistry examination showed that the maxilla and mandible were exposed, with the remaining soft tissue adhered to the bones, preserving the gingiva inserted in the alveolar edges and the hard palate. Vital dental signs, such as the presence of moderate to severe wear on the incisal and occlusal edges of the teeth that were present, caries and residual roots in several teeth, and some antemortem teeth absences, were analyzed. The family of the decedent was asked for medical and dental data and documentation of the victim to assist in the individual’s identification but those clinical records were not available or did not exist. Nevertheless, a smiling photograph of the victim was presented to the experts, which included partial exposure of the anterior teeth.


Fig.7 Upper and lower dental arches.


Fig.8 Detail of the smile—antemortem and postmortem.

The smiling photograph was scaled to enable accurate superimposition with the post-mortem images and the antemortem photograph was sharpened before the two sets of images were compared. Photos were evaluated by direct comparison of morpho-pathological changes of the smile and by the computerized delineation of the smile line. The computerized delineation of the incisal dental characteristics showed essential individualizing elements, namely the singularity of the incisal edges and wear of the anterior teeth. This led investigators to conclude that they had made a positive identification.


Fig.9 Cetopsis coecutiens, note the sharp teeth.

This case highlights the ferocity of the fish of the species Cetopsis candiru (also known as candiru cobra), Cetopsis coecutiens (also known as candiru-açu) and Calophysus macropterus (also known as piracatinga). The circular and oval sharp-blunt lesions found in the skull and in the remaining portions of skin and musculature are compatible with the action of Cetopsis coecutiens, which bite, turn their body like a drill, and remove large pieces of soft tissues. The preservation of the eyeballs, ears, scalp, and cartilage that holds the bones together and observations that the skeleton remained articulated are compatible with the typical scavenger action of the fish species Calophysus macropterus.

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This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. OP is not a medical expert. No copyright infringement intended. This post does not encourage or glorify violence/harassment. Images might have been upscaled and enhanced. Text might have been shortened and simplified/reorganized for online view.

[Aischa123]

[LittleNightmare]

So interesting! Thank you

[nudibranches646]

Look how happy that naughty fish looks! That second last pic should be on their tinder profile.

[Caf002]

Those little guys are picky little buggers!

Great post, Herman!

[Pyramid_Head]

People are friends, not food.

[Budd Dwyer]

Great pics, I'll use it as my avatar
That fish looks like the president of the US lol

[icehole]

I know that eyeballs were hard so animals didn't eat them, but the ears? That is new to me.
Also, that almost perfect circular bite marks kinda awesome

[Sebring]

Note the fish's meticulous care of his teeth and dedicated regular dental cleanings.
He's got nicer teeth than a lot of humans!

[American1]

These are good Law-Abiding ichthyofauna. They made sure they did not damage the area around his fingerprints and around his teeth. That way proper identification using dental and arrest records is done once they were done feasting.