My sister supposedly committed suicide last July but in reading copies of the police reports and autopsy report given to me by my brother I'm now convinced she was murdered. There are several people who would have a motives and lots of inconsistencies in the reports. One of the problems was there were two shots fired but investigators never researched or recovered any of the bullets. Also, a test swab was done for residue on my sister's fingers but never processed. She supposedly slit her wrists then shot herself because that didn't work but if you read the reports they don't agree with what is in the autopsy report. My brother called the investigative officer to reopen the case but he said no, so he called the State's attorney who said no as well. What is the coverup I wonder and does it have to do with people with influence and money that are keeping this investigation from happening. Who can I go to for help?

You have contacted everyone who would be able to open the case. Why not hire a private investigator to get to the bottom of this mystery? But you will have to open up about anything you know about who she was involved with and why.

Tick

Thank you for your quick response. In a discussion with my husband he advises that we should hire a PI to investigate and get the case reopened. I'm not so sure it was only sloppy police work and I have not ruled that out as well. There are many facts that the police were not made aware of when they ruled the suicide and perhaps if they knew what I know they would reopen the case. Thanks again for the advise. M

In some places it is possible to demand a coroner's inquest. Was an inquest done in this case?

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Originally Posted by mbernard

... One of the problems was there were two shots fired but investigators never researched or recovered any of the bullets. ...

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Neither was found in the body? How does the autopsy explain that?

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Originally Posted by mbernard

... Also, a test swab was done for residue on my sister's fingers but never processed. ...

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What is the explanation the authorities give for not doing so? Would it be possible for you to arrange for processing of the swab at your own expense?

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Originally Posted by mbernard

Thank you for your quick response. In a discussion with my husband he advises that we should hire a PI to investigate and get the case reopened. I'm not so sure it was only sloppy police work and I have not ruled that out as well. There are many facts that the police were not made aware of when they ruled the suicide and perhaps if they knew what I know they would reopen the case. Thanks again for the advise. M

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Well then, mbernard, for acknowledging my response but I have to ask quite respectfully, and please don't be offended as many would be by me asking... then why not hire a PI and divulge what you know if you want it solved. After some hard evidence from the PI, documented, etc. you could go back and have the case reopened.


tick

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Originally Posted by AK lawyer

What is the explanation the authorities give for not doing so? Would it be possible for you to arrange for processing of the swab at your own expense?

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I think the county coroner can disallow this too. The case would have to be re-opened for this to happen which the OP states will not happen.

Yes, so many questions.

Tick

Clearly the police and prosecutor are taking the easy way out. It doesn't necessarily mean a coverup.

But your best choice is to hire a PI to investigate. You may also need a forensic specialist to go over the reports. Has your sister been buried yet? If not you might want to have your own independent autopsy.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I would love to hire a PI but don't have the financial resources at the moment. Perhaps I can find someone pro bono who will listen to my story.. too many details. My sister was cremated immediately after the suicide ruling (last July). The husband refused a cleanup crew to dispose of the bloody mattress and insisted on cleaning up himself which they allowed him to do within hours of the investigation. That seemed pretty strange too.. too many strange things and inconsistencies. Thank you all for your advice and help.

Hello m:

In this here country of ours, you can purchase the finest justice available anywhere in the world... But, if you CAN'T afford it, you won't GET it.

My advice to you, Sir, is either RAISE the funds to hire your own investigator, or FORGET about it. You AIN'T going to find any FREE justice.

excon

It is normally not a cover up, but just that they are satisfied at the results they got. Plus it closed the case, they are limited in resourses and even if they listed it as a murder at this point that is all they would do, list it, most likely not do any more investigation.

This is not like CSI on TV, in real life, once one suspect is caught, or once they call it a suicide, they stop any and all other investigation except to prove what they have decided.

Find the bullets, they will most likely be in the area this happened, since they had the gun, there was no need to find any bullets.

Hand swabs, normally from blood spatter it is fairly evident if they were holding the gun or not.

Two shots, actually not as unusual as it sounds, we normally don't die in a split second plus guns with a easy trigger pull may also go off from the jerk of a person being shot.

Remember most cities don't have their own crime lab, and it costs money to get all of these tests done, money cities don't have, so if they see no need for them, they just don't do them.

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

It is normally not a cover up, but just that they are satisfied at the results they got. Plus it closed the case, they are limited in resourses and even if they listed it as a murder at this point that is all they would do, list it, most likely not do any more investigation.

This is not like CSI on tv, in real life, once one suspect is caught, or once they call it a suicide, they stop any and all other investigation except to prove what they have decided.

find the bullets, they will most likely be in the area this happened, since they had the gun, there was no need to find any bullets.

hand swabs, normally from blood spatter it is fairly evident if they were holding the gun or not.

Two shots, actually not as unusual as it sounds, we normally don't die in a split second plus guns with a easy trigger pull may also go off from the jerk of a person being shot.

Remember most cities don't have their own crime lab, and it costs money to get all of these tests done, money cities dont' have, so if they see no need for them, they just don't do them.

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Fr. Chuck,

What you have said above is probably true except in my research I found the following items: most suicide shots are angled slightly upward - autopsy shows downward angle, a shot to the head, mouth, front of chest usually suicide - autopsy shows shot through abdomen, a suicide victim will rarely shoot through clothing, shot went through her clothing, evidence of struggle - autopsy shows longitudal incised wound on the back of her left arm.. etc, etc. I pulled up a website to compare suicide to murder and according to the evaluation it shows 80% chance of murder not suicide. If you knew the amount of money involved in her situation and the story behind it perhaps you would not be so quick to think it was a suicide but thanks for your input.

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Originally Posted by mbernard

If you knew the amount of money involved in her situation and the story behind it

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Hello again, m:

So, why didn't you tell us? Motive IS a factor. Without zillions being involved, it sounded like you were just an angry brother... Even still, I BELIEVE you have a case. I think the cops are ABSOLUTELY corruptible!

But, if you have NO money, you're just whistling Dixie.

excon

I know how it goes in this world - the one with the best lawyer wins, right or wrong. I used to believe it was suicide until I read the reports my brother sent. Actually I suspect 3 different people, all money motivated, one is a multi-millionaire who can buy off people, the other an opportunistic, and the other just a puppet of the millionaire who would die for his blood brother.. kinda sick if you ask me. Don't know if justice will ever be done but I'm certainly willing to put my time into it, she was my best friend.

P.S. One of my deceased sister's favorite expressions was " I don't drink the *%$#@ koolaid. Obviously you don't drink the koolaid and neither do I.