An Unusual Case of Asphyxia by Ligature About the Thorax

[dfinsvalde]

The deceased was a 41-year-old woman who was
discovered, suspended by a rope around the thorax
from a rooftop railing on the twelfth floor of a building.

The deceased had no significant medical
history, and was not known to have recently consumed
tobacco or alcohol.

After the loss of her beloved canine companion, the deceased suffered severe emotional distress, which led her to discontinue her professional endeavors, withdraw from family interactions, and
develop a tendency to isolate herself from her residence.

According to the building's closed-circuit television data, she got on the elevator alone at approximately 01:00 AM and went to the rooftop unaccompanied.

The deceased was discovered 36 hours later.

The rope was tied to an air-conditioning conduiton a rooftop.

The deceased’s posture implied that the rope bore the entire body weight, potentially causing compression.

This case was consulted for postmortem examination two days after the discovery.

On external examination, a ‘C’ shaped ligature mark was observed around the thorax, which appeared to be consistent with the loop of the rope.

Petechial hemorrhages were not identified in the conjunctiva and congestion was not observed in the head.

Focalcontusions and superficial abrasions were observed on
the elbows and knees.

Internal examination revealeda pressure mark in the subcutis, which was consistent with a ligature mark.

There were no significant natural diseases except mild steatosis in the
liver.

Ancillary testing, including toxicology and postmortem biochemistry,
revealed no significant findings, except for a blood
alcohol concentration of 0.027%.

Overall, considering the historical circumstances, scene information, and findings arising from the postmortem examination and ancillary studies, the cause of death was attributed to asphyxia caused by external compression of the chest and a suspended position.

In addition, hypothermia might have played a contributing role in her death.

[azblue81]

Picture 4 killed my stiffy (no pun intended) from picture 2.

[Kakihara]

First impression is she went to roof top regularly to mourn, was afraid of falling off and tied a little “safety” loop life line. Not realizing it wouldn’t be effective in the way intended.

[angelwane]

Loss of a dog made her lose her mind it seems. Sad