[hermantheshocker]

I have colorized the original black and white images.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, US. In late January 2004, a young woman arrived home at 4:25 PM and noted a smell similar to that of gun powder throughout the residence. She discovered her brother lying on the kitchen floor in the left lateral position. The sister noticed a large amount of smoke in the air in the kitchen and the surrounding rooms. She went to a neighbor's house and called 911.


Fig.1 Victim as discovered on kitchen floor.


Fig.2 Wounds to the face.

The police and Emergency Medical Services arrived at the scene 5 min later. Upon examination of the deceased, they noted a large open wound of his face. The paramedics assumed that the victim had sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was beyond medical treatment. They pronounced him dead at 4:45 PM. The initial impression of the detectives at the scene was also that the victim had suffered a gunshot wound. However, they were puzzled by a lack of a weapon at the scene. Because of this fact, they were treating this case as a possible homicide.

Along, with brain matter and teeth, several small pieces of red paper and an end cap, consistent with a pyrotechnic device, were located throughout the scene. Several used matches and a matchbooks were discovered near the victim. Significant blood loss was noted, with pooled blood immediately adjacent to the body. Blood continued to ooze from the open wound during the examination by the paramedics. Blood and tissue fragments were noted throughout the living room, dinning room, kitchen, and entrance way. The blast area encompassed a 15 feet radius from the victim. The pieces of paper smelled ‘‘like sulfur’’.


Fig.3 Close up of the face showing the external trauma.


Fig.4 Close up showing internal injures.


Fig.5 Lacerations to the tongue.

According to statements given by the victim' sister, the decedent, a teacher, was having marital problems. Six-months prior to his death, he had been committed to a psychiatric hospital after allegedly putting a gun to his head. Seven days prior to his death, he once again threatened to commit suicide. He was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and depression and was placed on several medications. On the day he was released from the hospital, he learned that his wife had become pregnant by another man. He was found dead the next day.

The autopsy was conducted on this 29-year-old well developed, well-nourished white male, weighing 236 pounds, and measuring 74 in. The shirts and jeans were bloodstained and intact. The briefs were focally torn. There was a piece of red material on the shirt, consistent with a portion of a firecracker. That fragment was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory Division of the Allegheny County Coroner's Office for analysis. The external examination revealed blood on the face, neck, hands, and in the hair, mouth, nostrils and both ears. The eyes were brown with pale conjunctivae though there was some hemorrhage in the left sclera, laterally. The gums were lacerated and some of the teeth were partially to completely destroyed. Those that remained were in a fair state of dental repair.


Fig.6 The end cap and several red papers recovered from the victim's shirt and from the scene.


Fig.7 The comparison between the recovered end cap and an unexploded pyrotechnic device.


Fig.8 The comparison between the recovered end cap and an unexploded pyrotechnic device.

There were multiple lacerations around the entire mouth, which joined together and involved the lips and adjacent skin. Upon reflection of these lacerations, multiple fractures were noted. These included several mandibular fractures, extensive fracturing of the maxillae with loss of the hard palate and most of the central portions of these bones, with fractures into the medial and inferior aspects of both orbits, extensive nasal bone fractures, and fractures of the ethmoid sinuses/bones. Also, the anterior 1/3 of the tongue had a superficial and deep lacerations.

Toxicological analysis of the blood detected only lamotrigine and venlafaxine. The cause of death was explosive injuries to the head secondary to a pyrotechnic device (fireworks). The manner was suicide. It was hypothesized that the fireworks were placed into the mouth with the fuse projecting out anteriorly. Then, this fuse was ignited via a match.

-

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.

[Susan]

Venlafaxine shouldn't be used in mania... lamotrigine or not. My opinion.

[Hogmann]

The only question I have is why in 2004 were black and white photos taken

[Susan]

Originally Posted by Hogmann ↗

The only question I have is why in 2004 were black and white photos taken

They were prob taken in colour but Herman's source might have printed them in B&W? Possibly....

[Hogmann]

That makes sense. Using an m-80 seems a little risky for suicide sure will fuck you up but I wasn't so sure it would actually kill you.
Maybe not all the time and maybe not quickly you run the risk of someone finding you and taking you to the hospital and you surviving with no face and probably brain damage.

[HeyJealousy]

You've heard about Christmas in July. Now, prepare to celebrate 4th Of July in January!

[VileBreed]

Image 4, he kinda looks like Predator.

[christmascandy1]

what a way to go,,,,he should have done the helium method...at least his family could still see his face then..

[kilyurselph]

I live in Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh Pa. actually and I remember hearing about this damn near 20 years ago now. I always wondered what physically happened to this poor guy but never thought I'd actually find out and see it for myself. Enter hermantheshocker. Never fails, Herman always has the most interesting post.

Basically, Herman and Simone pretty much keep the lights on for this site, which I definitely appreciate. Especially since there doesn't seem to be anywhere near the number of so called "gore sites" left out there. Anyway, I'm gonna see if I can find some other info about this case and If I do I'll share it here.

[hermantheshocker]

Originally Posted by kilyurselph ↗

I live in Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh Pa. actually and I remember hearing about this damn near 20 years ago now. I always wondered what physically happened to this poor guy but never thought I'd actually find out and see it for myself. Enter hermantheshocker. Never fails, Herman always has the most interesting post.

Basically, Herman and Simone pretty much keep the lights on for this site, which I definitely appreciate. Especially since there doesn't seem to be anywhere near the number of so called "gore sites" left out there. Anyway, I'm gonna see if I can find some other info about this case and If I do I'll share it here.

Thank you :)