STAT

A medical mystery: How can gunshot wounds cause death decades later?

Cases of death from a decades-old injury draw headlines but medical examiners say they aren't all that rare, though they can be hard to investigate.
Source: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Last month, the Palm Beach County medical examiner made a fairly routine finding. In studying the death of Pahokee, Fla., resident John Henry Barrett, who died in May at the age of 77, it determined that his cause of death was homicide. There’s just one catch — Barrett died of sepsis, and was shot nearly 60 years ago.

To the average person, it’s an unusual-sounding case, but Dr. Reinhard Motte,

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from STAT

STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About Lilly’s Zepbound For Sleep Apnea, The FDA Budget, And More
Eli Lilly reported positive results for Zepbound in obstructive sleep apnea, giving the medication a new edge in the highly competitive obesity market.
STAT1 min read
STAT+: In Large Trial, Guardant Health’s Blood Test Detects Colon Cancer, But Less Reliably At Earliest Or Precancerous Stages
If approved, Guardant Health’s liquid biopsy is likely to be a strong new addition to colorectal cancer screening tools, particularly for patients who currently choose not to get screened.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About An OptumRx Contract, 340B Dispute Resolution, And More
Cardinal Health announced its pharmaceutical distribution contracts with UnitedHealth's OptumRx unit will not be renewed after they expire in June.

Related Books & Audiobooks