[hermantheshocker]

This has been posted here before but not with the same image quality.
Mishawaka, Indiana, US. In the fall of 2011, the badly injured body of a 65-year-old male was found on its back in the backyard of his home (Figs.1-3). A suicide note was found in the home, which indicated that the decedent wanted to “take the quick way out” of life, saying that he was depressed and in pain. Investigative information confirmed that the man was a military veteran with training in explosives. The victim’s neighbors and brother, who contacted police as they had not heard from him in some time, explained that the decedent was constantly using explosives. The neighbors had mentioned that four days prior, they had heard and felt the biggest explosion they had ever heard from his property but had not contacted anyone since he was always blowing things up.


Fig.1 Scene photograph showing the victim in a collapsed lawn chair in the middle of the backyard of his rural residence, with notable absence of the head.


Fig.2 Knee injuries.


Fig.3 Absence of head and neck structures.

Upon arrival at the scene and discovery of the body, police were initially concerned about additional explosive devices, as the decedent had previously expressed anti-government sentiment. This fear was heightened by the presence of a hand-held remote detonator device and another electrical device at the scene. As a result, the bomb squad was called and a robot was used to closely examine the remains and the scene prior to moving the body (Figs.4-5). There were no more explosives found near the body, but unarmed explosives were found in the decedent’s residence and disposed of at the scene.


Fig.4 Bomb squad robotic device used to perform initial body exam.


Fig.5 There were no more explosives found near the body.

Autopsy examination revealed a well-developed, well-nourished, male whose appearance was altered by severe injury. Radiographs revealed extensive skeletal trauma to the upper torso, with absence of head and neck structures as well as fractures about the knees. There was no radio-opaque foreign material/shrapnel evident by radiographic exam. Explosive-type defects were noted on the upper aspects of the torso clothing, as well as on the knee portions of the pants. The head and neck were absent and there was extensive damage to the upper torso (Fig.6). The anterior and posterior skin of the upper chest and shoulders demonstrated irregularly jagged borders with areas of soot and charring focally. The soft and bony tissues underlying the borders were markedly damaged by presumed explosive injuries. There were rare abrasions and contusions of the chest and upper extremities. The lower extremities demonstrated rare abrasions and contusions as well as severe lacerations of the anteromedial knees with underlying fractures of the distal aspects of the femora (Fig.7). Within the depths of the knee wounds, there was soot and charring noted.


Fig.6 Absence of head and neck, with injuries of shoulders/upper chest.


Fig.7 Knee injuries.

On internal exam, portions of the heart and lungs were evident within the chest cavity but were severely pulverized due to extensive blast-type injuries; the diaphragm was lacerated bilaterally and extensive pulverization-type injuries affected the liver as well (Fig.8). The upper esophagus, aortic arch, trachea, and main-stem bronchi were absent. The descending thoracic aorta and lower esophagus demonstrated lacerations. The clavicles were not readily identified, while the sternum, both scapulae, and ribs 1 through 10 bilaterally showed numerous fractures; the vertebral column was absent above the level of thoracic vertebral body 6 (Fig.9). There was a laceration of the left flank, from which a portion of the small intestine protruded. Rare contusions of the small intestines, transverse colon, and mesentery were evident. Although there was evidence of apparent charring focally on the clothing and skin, there was no visibly identifiable foreign material evident. Swabbings of the hands and injured tissue margins were collected and retained (Fig.10). The clothing was retained as well (Fig.11).


Fig.8 Irregularly ragged, badly injured remnants of both lungs and the heart (upper central) were present within the chest, and the liver showed extensive injuries as well.


Fig.9 The appearance of the upper torso after removal of the injured internal organs, showing extensive musculoskeletal trauma.

Because of the extent of injury, there was virtually no blood remaining in the body; therefore, blood toxicology testing could not be performed. A urine drug screen tested positive for opiates, acetaminophen, topiramate, norcyclobenzprine, and dihydrocodeine. The body was only tentatively identified at the time of autopsy, based on circumstance. Subsequent positive identification was made by fingerprint comparison. The cause of death was explosion/blast injuries from a bomb. The manner of death was suicide.

Reconstruction of the event suggested that the decedent sat in a lawn chair, placed the explosive device between his knees, and leaned forward, with his head close to the device. The decedent had apparently purposefully kept his hands/fingers away from the explosion, apparently knowing that visual identification would be impossible after the explosion, but fingerprint comparison would be possible. As the case was deemed an obvious suicide by the coroner and police investigators, no further testing was undertaken to determine the exact nature of the explosives used in this event. As such, despite the collection of trace evidence and clothing, no further examination was performed.


Fig.10 Hand swabbings were collected in case testing for explosives was to be undertaken.


Fig.11 A photograph of the T-shirt that the decedent was wearing at the time of the explosion.

Suicidal explosions are rarely encountered in the United States, although in some places worldwide, suicidal terrorist bombings are encountered to some degree of regularity, and the nonterrorist variety may be more common in other nations. Many of the reported cases of suicide by explosives report destruction of the head; however, rarely do they result in complete decapitation. While suicidal deaths related to explosives are not common, it is important that forensic pathologists and death investigators be aware of the characteristics of explosives-related deaths.

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Neighbors: Explosions normal on Currant Road
MISHAWAKA, Ind. - A neighborhood is back to normal in Mishawaka Thursday night after explosive materials were destroyed at a home on Currant Road. Evacuation orders were lifted and roads were back open just before 3:30 p.m.

Numerous explosions could be heard throughout the afternoon in Mishawaka. The South Bend Police Bomb Squad detonated explosives in trenches at S. W.'s home. W. blew himself up with a homemade explosive and Police found his remains Wednesday. “It was a very large explosion,” says Douglas Worley. He lives a few houses down from the property. Worley heard something similar on Sunday. “I was in the service. It sounded like ten to fifteen pounds of explosives,” he said.

“We heard a big blast go off,” Ron Curran lives across the street and he heard a blast but it was on Saturday. “We didn’t think much of it. We thought way to go W.," Curran says. "He’s always blowing stuff up.” According to Matt Blank with the Saint Joseph County Sheriff's Department they don’t even know when W. killed himself. Neighbors told them they heard explosions on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Worley says nobody called 9-1-1 because hearing explosions is normal. “I’ve heard other explosions over a period of time,” he says. Curran thought W., a Vietnam Veteran, had a license to build fireworks. It turns out he didn’t.

It took police and the bomb squad most of the day to identify and dispose of everything he had inside the home. There were enough explosives to fill trenches in the back yard.

Curran says W. suffered from chronic illnesses. “He always blamed the Vietnam War on why he was sick so much,” he says. Curran is surprised by the way W. got rid of the pain. Police say they might never know why W. committed suicide.

Neighborhood evacuated again as bomb squad destroys explosives
A 65-year-old Vietnam veteran, S. W. W., committed suicide by blowing himself up. He lived at 55527 Currant Road in Mishawaka. Police were asked to check on W.'s welfare by his concerned brother who had not seen him in several days. When police arrived on the scene, they discovered that W. had used an explosive device to kill himself.

Police say they found more explosives on his property and inside W.'s home. The bomb squad was on the scene for several hours Wednesday. County police evacuated the neighborhood between Early and Willow Creek. St. Joseph County Police had shut down Currant Road completely from Day to McKinley; they later allowed evacuated residents to return to their homes for the night.

Only residents of homes between Early and Willow Creek were allowed into the area. They were instructed to be out of the area no later than 8 a.m. on Thursday so bomb technicians could finish removing and destroying explosive materials found in the home. Bomb squads from South Bend and Elkhart found a lot of explosive materials in W.'s home, according to police. Some of the material was extremely dangerous and could be set off with as little as a spark from static electricity.

Police say a suicide note was found at the scene and they do not believe W. had any intentions of harming anyone but himself. W. had experience working with pyrotechnics, according to his brother. W. was said to have used his knowledge and skills to create fireworks shows and other explosive displays. Some neighbors say they heard a loud explosion Monday, and several say they felt it shake their home.

Neighbors say that Mr. W.'s home was recently sold at a tax sale. ABC 57 News checked with the St. Joseph County Auditor's office. This is not true. However, he did have a quarrel with the county over his property taxes this past spring. Several deductions had dropped off of his account after Mr. W.'s wife passed away, which tripled his tax bill.

The taxes went unpaid and were delinquent for some time. Mr. W. took the matter up with the county, who who eventually corrected the tax bill. Mr. W. did eventually pay his tax bill. The property taxes on the home are current. W. was a long-time member of the Mishawaka VFW post #360 on Jefferson Blvd. He became a lifetime member in 1993.

Police: Man committed suicide using explosives
MISHAWAKA - Police say a 65-year-old Mishawaka man who made his own fireworks and frequently set off explosions on his 5-acre property apparently used a homemade explosive device to kill himself.

St. Joseph County police Sgt. Matt Blank says a brother of S. W. called police Wednesday asking police to check on him. The brother told police W. had been depressed and his family hadn't heard from him in several days. W.'s body was found behind his garage.

Blank says police aren't sure when W. died because of conflicting reports from neighbors about when they last heard an explosion. Blank says evidence indicates the death was a suicide, not an accident, but he declined to elaborate. He says the bomb squad found additional explosives on the property.

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. Original case report by McLemore A.M., Prahlow S.P., Prahlow J.A. - Forensic Pathol 2016.

[SimoneFlen']

Excellent thread, as always, thank you.

[uknews]

Wow, he certainly did a number on himself.
'He liked blowing things up' said the neighbours

[LittleNightmare]

5 stars

[tyroneslothrop]

But what do you suppose happened to his head? Vaporized? Or is someone going to find it on their lawn or when they are clearing out their gutters?

[rohmell]

Excellent and informative thread. Most certainly appreciate your continued posting of such material.

[northernlights]

Another excellent post

[RaNer]

Does Blue Cross cover this?

[imbok]

Have you ever wondered what the effect of explosives are on the human body? Well look no further, we got your answers right here.

[William May]

Originally Posted by tyroneslothrop ↗

But what do you suppose happened to his head? Vaporized? Or is someone going to find it on their lawn or when they are clearing out their gutters?

Kid comes up with head in his little wagon.
Adults: "Oh, that's just old Ed's head! He always used to blow stuff up. Just put it right back where you got it!"