CASE NO . 99-0759-510

AUTOPSY XX INSPECTION

POST MORTEM EXAMINATION REPORT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

STATE OF MARYLAND

JURISDICTION DME/FI Jurisdiccion of Deach/ Police Invescigacing

NAME OF DECEASED HEY MIN LEE (UNKNOWN 99-29)

RESIDENCE OF DECEASED , WOODLAWN, MARYLAND

AGE 18 RACE ASIAN

INCIDENT TIME UNKNOWN

ADDRESS ROAD BALTIMORE MARYLAND

OCME NOTIFIED:

DATE 2-9-99

TRANSPORTED TO OCME BY

PRONOUNCED DEAD - DATE

ADDRESS/INSTITUTION

AUTOPSY/INSPECTION-DATE

b.

c.

Other significant conditions :

BY WHOM POLICE COMMUNICATIONS

TIME 2:00 PM

TIME 10:00 AM

Medical Examiner

Natural Accident Suicide

XX Homicide Undetermined

HOW DID INJURY OCCUR SUBJECT FOUND STRANGLED

TOXICOLOGY: HEART BLOOD, ALCOHOL - Negative HEART BLOOD, DRUG TEST: Negative VAGINAL SWAB: Acid Phosphatase 136 U/L ORAL SWAB: Acid Phosphatase 107 U/L ANAL SWAB: Acid Phosphatase 22 U/L

THIS IS A CERTIFIED COPY. OF RECEIPTS OF THE

OfflCE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER STATE OF MARYLAND

___ -:

NAME: HAE MIN LEE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION REPORT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759-510 STATE OF MARYLAND

An autopsy was performed on the body of HAE MIN LEE FORMERLY UNKNOWN 99-029 at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland on the lOTH day of FEBRUARY, 1999.

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

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2

The body was that of a well-developed, well-nourished Asian female fully clad in white sweater/jacket, one gray shirt, one white bra, one black skirt, and one pantyhose . The decedent was wearing a white metal necklace with a charm pendant, one yellow necklace with a heart pendant that had one white stone, one white school ring with inscription "HML" on the inner surface, and one white metal ring (composed of two interlocking rings) with a white stone. The body weighed 134 pounds, was 5'6" in height and appeared compatible with the reported age of 18 years. The body was cold . Rigor was broken to an equal degree in all extremities. Lividity was present and fix.ed on the anterior surface of the body, except in areas exposed to pressure. Mold growth was seen on the anterior and posterior torso, and upper and lower extremities. The scalp hair was black, long and straight. Facial hair was absent . The irides were brown. The corneae were moderately cloudy. The conjunctivae and sclerae were red-brown. The external auditory canals, external nares and oral cavity were covered with dirt and free of abnormal secretions. The nasal skeleton was palpably intact. The lips were without evident injury. The teeth were natural and in good condition . Examination of the neck revealed evidence of injury described below. The chest was unremarkable . No injury of the ribs or sternum was evident externally. The abdomen was scaphoid. No healed surgical scars were noted on the abdomen. The extremitie s showed no evidence of fractures , lacerations, or deformities. The fingernails were intact. No tattoos or needle tracks were noted on the body. The external genitalia were those of a normal adult female. The posterior torso was free of injuries.

EVIDENCE OF THERAPY

None.

EVIDENCE OF INJURY

The body was found in the woods, buried in a shallow grave with the hair, right foot, left knee, and left hip partially exposed. The body was on her right side. The body was decomposed, with mold growth noted on the skin of the trunk and proximal segments of the upper and lower extremities . The white jacket the decedent was wearing was unbuttoned along its anterior middle opening; the skirt and bra were partly pulled up, exposing both breasts onto which wet soil was adherent . The pantyhose had prominent defects on the knees . The skirt was pulled up at the level of the buttocks.

Generalized skin slippage was noted and li vor mortis was prominently seen on the anterior-upper chest and face . A poorly defined paranasal areas of dark discoloration of the

NAME : HAE MIN LEE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION REPORT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759-510 STATE OF MARYLAND

skin was seen extending into the right face which approximately measured 1-1/2 11 x 2 11 • There was a fairly circumscribed dark brown skin discoloration, measuring 1 11 in diameter, on the left cheek. These two last described areas are consistent with pressure applied with contact with the elements. Petechial hemorrhages (two) were seen on the left lower palpebral conjunctiva; both bulbar conjunctivae were hemorrhagic. The skin - at the anterior right aspect of the neck had a poorly defined elongated contusion measuring 1-1/4" x 1/ 4". Dissection of the neck revealed multiple focal hemorrhages on the superior (proximal) segments of the strap muscles involving the sternohyoid and the sternothyroid muscles. The junction of the body and the left horn of the hyoid bone was dislocated, with small focal hemorrhage of the surrounding soft tissue . The laryngeal cartilages were intact.

There were focal and poorly delineated right occipital subgaleal and right temporalis muscle hemorrhage. The skull was free of fractures. No intracranial hemorrhage was seen.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION:

BODY CAVITIES:

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3

The body was opened by the usual thoraco-abdominal incision and the chest plate was removed. No adhesions were present in any of the body cavities; decomposition fluid were pre.sent in all of the body cavities. All body organs were present in normal anatomical position. The subcutaneous fat layer of the abdominal wall was thick.

HEAD: (CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM) See "Evidence of Injury0 • The scalp was reflected. The calvarium of the skull was removed. The dura mater and falx cerebri were intact. There was no epidural or subdural hemorrhage present. The leptomeninges were thin and delicate. The cerebral hemispheres were symmetrical, but swollen. The structures at the base of the brain, including cranial nerves and blood vessels were intact. The brain weighed 1410 grams. (See "Neuropathology Report".)

NECK: Examination of the soft tissues of the neck, including strap muscles revealed injuries described above; the thyroid gland and large vessels revealed no abnormalities. The injury to the hyoid bone was described above; the larynx was intact.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The pericardial surfaces were smooth and unremarkable; the pericardial sac was free of significant adhesions. The coronary arteries arose normally, followed the usual distribution and were widely patent, without evidence of

NAME: HAE MIN LEE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION REPORT PAGE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759-510 STATE OF MARYLAND 4

significant atherosclerosis or thrombosis. The chambers and valves exhibited the usual size-position relationship and were unremarkable. The myocardium was dark red-brown, and soft due to decomposition changes . The atrial and ventricular septa were intact. The aorta and its major branches arose normally, followed the usual course and were widely patent, free of significant atherosclerosis and other abnormality. The venae cavae and their major tributaries returned to the heart in the usual distribution and were free of thrombi . The heart weighed 220 grams.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The mouth and nose were covered with dirt; the mucosal surfaces were smooth, and red-brown. The pleural surfaces were smooth and unremarkable bilaterally. The pulmonary parenchyma was deep purple, exuding moderate amounts of bloody fluid; no focal lesions were noted . Both lungs showed decomposition changes. The pulmonary arteries were normally developed, patent and without thrombus or embolus. The right lung weighed 540 grams; the left 380 grams.

LIVER & BILIARY SYSTEM: The hepatic capsule was smooth, and intact, covering a dark soft and moderately congested parenchyma with no focal lesions seen. Decompositional change was noted. The gallbladder contained 5 ml. of green-brown, mucoid bile; the mucosa was velvety and unremarkable. The extrahepatic biliary tree was patent, without evidence of calculi . The liver weighed 1170 grams.

ALIMENTARY TRACT: The tongue exhibited no evidence of recent injury. The esophagus was lined by gray-brown, smooth mucosa. The gastric mucosa was arranged in the usual rugal folds and the lumen contained 40 ml. of mucoid and tan fluid containing fine white particles. The small and large bowel were unremarkable. The pancreas was autolyzed, but the ducts were clear. The appendix was unremarkable.

GENITOURINARY SYSTEM: The renal capsules were smooth and thin, slightly cloudy, and stripped with ease from the underlying smooth, deep purple cortical surfaces. The cortices were congested and moderately delineated from the medullary pyramids, which were red-purple and showed decomposition changes. The calyces, pelves and ureters were unremarkable. The urinary bladder was empty; the mucosa was red-brown and smooth. The non-gravid uterus and appendages were without note. The right kidney weighed 90 grams; the left 95 grams.

RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM: The spleen had a smooth, intact capsule covering red-purple, soft parenchyma; the lymphoid follicles were unremarkable. The regional lymph nodes appeared normal. The spleen weighed 80 grams.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: The pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands were unremarkable .

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM:

NAME: HAE MIN LEE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION REPORT PAGE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759-510 STATE OF MARYLAND 5

Muscle development was normal. No non-traumatic bone or joint abnormalities were noted.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION

ANAL,ORAL AND VAGINAL SWABS : Negative for spermatozoa .

NAME: HAE MIN LEE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION REPORT PAGE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759-510 STATE OF MARYLAND 6

PATHOLOGIC DIAGNOSES

I. Strangulation A. Hemorrhage at the superior segment of the neck strap muscles. B. Hyoid bone, wi h focal hemorrhage of soft tissues surrounding the

junction of , 'e body and the left horn . C. Neck cont ·on, le_ft anterior aspect .

II.

D. Bilater , bar/,.e onjunctival hemorrhages E . Petechial - of the lower left palpebral conjunctiva Focal right a l?e.a, subgaleal and right temporalis muscle hemorrhage. '/

III.

OPINION:

This 18 year old, Asian female , HA in a shallow grave in a wooded are , injuries to the right back and rights· manner of death is HOMICIDE . The decea beverages prior to death .

Margarita A. Korell, M.D. Assistant Medical Examiner

I

Marlon 0. Aquino, M.D . Associate Pathologist

Date signed :

HEART BLOOD, ALCOHOL - Negative HEART BLOOD, DRUG TEST : · Negative VAGINAL SWAB : Acid Phosphatase 136 U/L ORAL SWAB: Acid Phosphatase 107 U/L ANAL SWAB: Acid Phosphatase 22 U/L -

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iai-ek, M. D. ed "cal Examiner _,

CASE N O.

SY XX INSPECTION

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J/-a , <3 C! J / / . I 'I i

. POST MOEn EM EXAMINATION REPORT OF OF THE kHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

I STATE OF MARYLAND

II I rvlE / r I

Jurisdiction of Death/POlire JURIS DICTION BALTIMORE CITY I I

1 lll'ITestigating

NAME OF DECEASED ________

RESIDENCE OF __ ______ _

AGE --,1=8::..-__ SEX FEMALE ;(ACE AS I IN

INCIDENT OCCURRED-DATE , FOmb : 2 - 9 - 99 t TIME __ __ __

ADDRESS ____ __________ _

OCME NOTIFIED:

DATE 2-9-99 TIME 2:20 PM BY WH(M POLl E COMMUNICATIONS

TRANSPORTED TO OCME BY II·

PRONOUNCED DEAD - DATE __ ____ 4-__ __ ______ __ ' TIME __ _

ADDRESS/INSTITUTION SCENE i

r PERFORMED BY O. M.D. I MARGAR:'lA A. KORELL M.D.

TIME 10:00 AM

Associate Assist. lt Medical Examiner I

CAUSE OF DEATH a. I ___ Natural ___ Accident ___ Suicide b.

c. II

Other significant conditionE:: I. I

I i P

XX Homicide ___ Undetermined

I

HOW DID INJURY OCCUR SUBJE<CT IIFOUND STR WGED

TOXICOLOGY: I Ii HEART BLOOD, ALCOHOL - Negatitei! HEART BLOOD, DRUG TEST: VAGINAL SWAB: Acid 1136 tiL ORAL SWAB:, Acid Phosphatase 0 U/L ANAL SWAB: Acid Phosphatase 2 U/L

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:' illb BE SENT;?

'OrfVQl RAPPROVAl

MPIA 15 459 848

NAME: -RAE MIN LEE

I The body was that of a well-deve!lo' ed, in white sweater/jacket, one 0 one pantyhose. The decedent pendant, one yellow necklace one white school ring with insfr whi te metal ring (composed of it

None.

The body with the

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'XAMINAT . IEF MED, OF MARY

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'ons, or deformities. ks were noted on the adult female. The

shallow grave hip partially The body was of the trunk

was s.

r mortis was and face. A ration of the MPIA 15 459 849

NAME: RAE MIN LEE

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759-510

I I ,

XAMINAT ClEF MED

TE OF MARY

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skin was seen extedi g i to approximately measured 1-1./2" x 21. circumscribed dark bro s in d sco diameter, on the left ctieek. T are consistent with pre* s :re a elements. Petechial he 0 hage

which s a fairly uring 111 in

cribed areas

lower palpebral conjun tva; oth

qt with the bn the left ctivae were pect of the "4-ring 1-1/4 11

tip1e focal

hemorrhagic. The skin 'jat ,i the ant neck had a poorly define ed x 1/4 11 • Dissection 0 t:he eck hemorrhages on the supe i ,r (pr xi of the strap

ternothyroid muscles involving the" s ' yoi muscles. The junction f ody horn of the

rhage of the i1ages were

hyoid bone was dislocat d, surrounding soft tissue. intact.

There were focal and/ subga1ea1 and right was free of fractures. IN

I

BODY CAVITIES: I The body was opened by the us¥a plate was removed. No adhesi9ns decomposition fluid were organs were present in normalj atom' cal layer of the abdominal wall wafl i /4",

I HEAD: (CENTRAL NERVOUS See "Evidence of Injury". skull was removed. The dura at r an no epidural or subdural hemorr a e presen delicate. The cerebral hemi peres wer structures at the base of t e prain, i vessels were intact. The br i i' weig ed Report II .)

NECK: i Examination of the soft tissu:f ,f the nec injuries described above; th't hyroi gl

The injury to Ith hyo'd b was lntact. i

I CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: I, The pericardial surfaces sooth and was free of significant ns. The followed the usual distributirn:and ere

, ,

II i

enil in any f I ;the bodYI poMition. '

II' I,

occipital The skull was seen.

ision and the chest f, the body cavities; davities. All body he subcutaneous fat

II III I

The calvarium of the

x cra" a.1 nerves and blood

grams. "Neuropathology

I II I

, crap muscles revealed ndl'iand 1ar' vessels revealed no e desc'bed above; the larynx

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the pericardia1 sac pnary art, ries arose normally,

pate' , without evidence of , ,

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MPIA 15 459 850

NAME: RAE MIN LEE

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759-510

'I ,

*XAMINAT

fIEF MED i OF MARY !I I

Iii :1 '

ij REPORT PAGE EXAMINER

4

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significant atherosclerosis or h 4)mbos s. hei,lchambers pd valves exhibited the usual size-position relatio sip a d w e 1fe. The myocardium was dark red-brown, and soft d e de omp cha The atrial and ventricular septa were intact. :The aor its branches arose normally, followed the usual c¢>urse an wid, y patent, free of significant atherosclerosis and 0 her a nor The' ebae cavae and their major tributaries returned to h' hear usual and were free of thrombi. The heart wei/ghd 22 I'i

The mouth and nose were covered he iirmucosal ;tfaces were smooth, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: ' J;: and red-brown. The pleura were smoo I and unremarkable bilaterally. The pulmonary p pu e, exuding moderate amounts of bloody fluid; no f wEjJl::'e noted,. Both lungs showed decomposition changes. The erli,' es were Itormally developed, patent and without thrombus e right luweighed 540 grams; the left 380 grams. 1 I '

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I I II,',

The hepatic capsule was in act cq,'Vering LIVER & BILIARY SYSTEM:

and moderately congested ar nch 1 a it no f change was not d. The gal bl ilder con'

..)rown, mucoid bile; the muro a wCltS lv"ty and extrahepatic biliary tree was p t nt, ith t'vidence weighed 1170 grams.

ALIMENTARY TRACT: I The tongue exhibited no evidenpe!of r cen by gray-brown, smooth mucosa. Te ga tri rugal folds and the lumen cont i 40 ml. fine white particles. The sal and la pancreas was autolyzed, but I' t' e d' cts

, :

T i

m t.', osa was i fucoid a e bowel we wee clear'

unremarkable. I; I I,

GENITOURINARY SYSTEM: I I:"

The renal capsules were smoot4 clo ease from the underlying smoot , e qortical were congested and moderately de "inea ed ro. the me were red-purple and showed de orposi ion ch pges. T ureters were unremarkable. h lurin ry la der was red - brown and smooth. The on tgrav d u er is and a note. The right kidney weigh d 190 th" left 9

RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM: The spleen had a smooth, intac the lymphoid follicles were

The spleen weighed 8

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: The pituitary, thyroid and

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM:

red-p I

region II I" '

unrei

I Ii

dark red-brown, soft cal lesions seen. ined 5 mI. of green-unremarkable. The f, calculi. The liver

,esophagus was lined in the usual

fluid containing , unremarkable. The

The appendix was

¥, and stripped with rfaces. The cortices llary pyramids, which 'calyces, pelves and

the mucosa was )erndages were without 91rams .

1

wle, soft parenchymaj lymph nodes appeared

MPIA 15 459 851

NAME: RAE MIN LEE

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759'-510 I

uscle M w

was ere noted.

AN AL,ORAL 8[tm VAGINAL I

normal.

MICRO

SWABS:

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non-t raur

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l:M REPORT PAGE l: C IEF MEDI L EXAMINER

liOF MARYI 5 ,I

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f bone 0] joint abnormalitie s :, I:

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MPIA 15 459 852

NAME: RAE MIN LEE OF

CASE NUMBER: 99-0759-510

I.

II.

III.

Strangulation A. Hemorrhage at the u B. Hyoid bone, with fo a

junction of the bo y c. Neck contusion, le t D. Bilateral bulbar c E. Petechial hemorrha e Focal right occipital hemorrhage. Decomposition.

OPINION:

This 18 year old, Asian female in a shallow grave in a woode

to the right back and _nanner of death is HOMICIDE. beverages prior to death.

Margarita A. Korell, M.D. Assistant Medical Examiner

I

Marlon o. Aquino, M.D. Associate Pathologist

Date signed:

HEART BLOOD, ALCOHOL - Negative HEART BLOOD, DRUG TEST:- Negativ VAGINAL SWAB: Acid Phosphatase

SWAB: Acid Phosphatase 07 ANAL SWAB: Acid Phosphatase 22

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XAMINAT IEF MED OF

REPORT PAGE L EXAMINER

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strap muscles. spes surrounding the

ral conjunctiva temporalis muscle

NOWN 99-029, found TION. Blunt force also present. The

Fonsuming alcoholic I

M.D.

MPIA 15 459 854