The inquest into the death of 22-year-old Serena Perry at the Saint John Regional Hospital in February of 2012 hearing from two pathologists.
General pathologist Dr. Mohammad Hossein who works at the hospital testified the tip of Perry’s tongue and fingernail beds were blue indicating a lack of oxygen. There was a hemmorrhage on the right side of her neck which could have been caused by efforts to resuscitate her or manual pressure but there was no indication she was sexually assaulted.
Hossein concluding Perry died by asphyxia due to strangulation and not by natural causes, adding a ligature was used. Whether the death was self inflicated or caused by someone else, the doctor can’t say.
Chief Forensic Pathologist for Ontario Dr. Michael Pollanen testifying via video link from Toronto. He was asked by the Saint John police to review the case.
Pollanen says in his opinion he’s not totally convinced this is a case of neck compression but that it is a definite possibility. He says with that in mind he lists the cause of death as undetermined.
