North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

3025 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-3025
Telephone 919-743-9000
Fax 919-743-9099
REPORT OF AUTOPSY EXAMINATION
DECEDENT
Document Identifier B201701184
Autopsy Type ME Autopsy
Name Uniece Glenae Fennell
Age 17 yrs
Race Black
Sex F
AUTHORIZATION
Authorized By Patricia D. Pittman MD Received From Durham
ENVIRONMENT
Date of Exam 03/25/2017 Time of Exam 09:30
Autopsy Facility Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Persons Present Ms. Tracy Yorkdale (Autopsy
Technician) and witnessing pathologist Dr. Craig Nelson
CERTIFICATION
Cause of Death
ASPHYXIA
due to
HANGING
The facts stated herein are correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Digitally signed by
Kimberly E. Janssen MD 07 June 2017 15:22
DIAGNOSES
I. Asphyxia due to hanging
A. Found with bed sheet around neck; suspended from window bars
B. Ligature abrasion encircling 80% of neck with upward lateral edges
C. Rare palpebral conjunctival petechial hemorrhages
D. Hemorrhage of right omohyoid and sternohyoid muscles, minimal
E. Intact hyoid bone and cartilaginous structures of the neck
F. No scratches, contusions, or other injuries of the neck

II. Obesity (Body Mass Index 32.6 kg/m)

IDENTIFICATION
Body Identified By
Papers/ID Tag

EXTERNAL DESCRIPTION
Length 66.5 inches
Weight 205 pounds
Body Condition Intact

The body is received in a zipped body bag labeled with an identification tag bearing the decedent's name. In addition, an
identification tag bearing the decedent's name is on the right great toe.

CLOTHING AND PERSONAL EFFECTS: The body is received wrapped with a white blanket. The body is clad in orange
pants (cut in resuscitation attempts), white underwear, one white sock, one black sock (both socks on the left foot), and

Page 1 of 7 F201703200 07 June 2017 15:22

a pink bra (cut in resuscitation attempts). A second white sock and second black sock accompany the body. A black hair
tie is in the hair. Accompanying the body is an envelope and a letter with lab results and a bedsheet/ligature (see
Injuries for further description).

EVIDENCE OF MEDICAL/SURGICAL THERAPY: A nasogastric tube is in the right naris. An endotracheal tube is in
the mouth. Two defibrillator pads are on the chest. An intraosseous catheter is in each anterior lower leg. On the
anterior chest is a 2 1/2" diameter of dried red-brown concentric rings of abrasion, consistent with cardiopulmonary
resuscitation.

The body is that of a normally developed, obese (body mass index 32.6 kg/m), dark-complexioned woman appearing
consistent with the listed age. The body is cold, well-preserved, and has not been embalmed. Rigor mortis is moderate
in the jaw and extremities. Livor mortis is red-purple, blanching, and in a posterior dependent distribution.

The dark brown curly scalp hair measures up to 12" in length. The ears are normally formed and without drainage. Each
earlobe has multiple piercings. The nose is intact and the nares filled with purge fluid. The irides are brown, corneas
cloudy, and sclerae congested. The bulbar and palpebral conjunctivae have rare red, punctate, petechial hemorrhage.
The superior and inferior frenula are intact. The lips are normally formed and without evidence of injury. No oral or
buccal mucosal petechial hemorrhages are identified. The teeth are natural and in good condition. The neck is
symmetric with injury described below.

The chest is normally formed, symmetric, and without palpable mass. The abdomen is protuberant, soft, and without
palpable mass. The external genitalia are those of an adult female and are atraumatic. The back is straight and
symmetrical. The anus is atraumatic.

The arms are normally formed. No needle punctures, ventral wrist scars, or track marks are seen. The fingernails are
short, trimmed, and relatively clean. The legs are normally formed without amputation, edema, or deformity. The
toenails are trimmed, clean, and medium length (up to 1/4" long).

IDENTIFYING MARKS AND SCARS: On the upper abdomen, just superior to the navel, are two 1/4" curvilinear,
puckered, hyperpigmented, well-healed scars (remote navel piercing). Scattered across the face are multiple irregular,
hyperpigmented macules and excoriations associated with dermatitis/acne. On the left medial upper thigh is a 1"
curvilinear hypopigmented, well-healed scar. Scattered across the anterior lower legs are multiple, irregular,
hyperpigmented plaques, some of which may represent scars, measuring up to 1" in greatest dimension.

On the right lateral upper arm is a polychromatic tattoo of a heart and "Julie". On the posterior right forearm is a
polychromatic tattoo of roses, a heart, an electrocardiogram of a heart beat, and "Beauty". On the left lateral torso is a
black tattoo of roses. On the posterior left 3rd finger is a polychromatic tattoo of heart. On the posterior left 4th finger is
a black tattoo of "$".

INJURIES
HANGING
A ligature abrasion extends circumferentially around approximately 80% of the neck forming a minimally abraded
ligature furrow with a varying width. The ligature abrasion consists of dried, orange-brown, depressed skin with
minimal lateral hyperemia, measuring 1 1/8" in width at the midline of the anterior neck, at the level of the thyroid
cartilage, with the superior edge of the furrow located 2 3/4" below the tip of the chin and 9" below the top of the head.
Also at the anterior neck at this area is a 2 x 1/4", irregular, pink, superficial abrasion overlying the main ligature
furrow, which could represent placement of a knot, and extending to the underside of the chin. The furrow extends over
the left lateral neck curving upward with a width of 1/2" with the superior edge of the furrow over the left neck located 1
1/8" below the lower attachment of the left ear, 6 1/2" below the top of the head, and terminates just past the left ear.
The furrow extends over the right lateral neck curving upward with a width of 3 1/4" with the superior edge of the
furrow over the right neck located 2 7/8" below the lower attachment of the right ear, 8 1/4" below the top of the head.
Posteriorly, the ligature abrasion furrow continues to pass upward with its apex located within the hairline of the right
occipital scalp centered 4 1/2" below the top of the head and 1" to the right of midline. No abrasions, contusions, or
other injuries of the neck are identified.

Internal examination with layer-by-layer in situ neck dissection of the structures of the neck reveal minimal

Page 2 of 7 F201703200 07 June 2017 15:22

hemorrhage (1/8 x 1/8") on the inferior bellies of the right omoyoid and right sternohyoid muscles. The hyoid bone and
cartilaginous structures of the of the larynx and trachea are without fractures.

As noted previously, rare, red, punctate petechial hemorrhages are scattered on the bulbar and palpebral conjunctivae.

LIGATURE: Accompanying the body is a bed sheet tied with two knots to form a 19 1/8" circumference ligature. One
knot (2 x 1 x 1") is located 13" from a bed sheet corner and has entrapped brown hair. A second knot (4 x 2 x 2") is
located 17" from one cut end of the bed sheet and 28 1/4" from another cut end of the bed sheet. These cut ends
approximate each other.

DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL EFFECTS AND EVIDENCE

The following items are released with the body
None.
The following items are preserved as evidence
Blood card, pulled scalp hair, clothes (white socks x2, black socks x2, bra x1, white underwear x1, orange pants x1),
black hair tie x1, envelope x1, paper (lab results) x1, white blanket x1, and ligature (bedsheet) are released to J.D. Karie
of NC SBI on 4/4/2017.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION
Body Cavities
The abdominal fat layer measures up to 4 cm in thickness. The body cavities have no hemorrhage or excess fluid. The
serosal surfaces are smooth, glistening, and without adhesions. The organs are normally located. The diaphragm is
intact. The chest and abdominal body cavities have no injuries.
Cardiovascular System
Heart Weight 270 grams
The heart has a normal shape with a smooth, glistening epicardium. The coronary arteries have a normal origin and
distribution with right dominance. The left anterior descending coronary artery has focally 20% stenosis by yellow,
focally-calcified atherosclerotic plaque. The left circumflex coronary artery and right coronary artery have no
atherosclerosis and are widely patent.

The myocardium is red-brown, firm, and uniform without focal fibrosis, softening, or hyperemia. The ventricles are not
dilated. The right ventricle, left ventricle, and interventricular septum measure 0.3 cm, 1.5 cm, and 1.3 cm in thickness,
respectively.

The endocardium is intact, smooth, and glistening. The cardiac valve leaflets are of normal number, pliable, intact, and
free of vegetations. The atrial and ventricular septa are free of defects.

The aorta follows its usual course and has no atherosclerotic changes. No vascular anomalies or aneurysms are
identified. The venae cavae and pulmonary arteries are without thrombus or embolus.
Respiratory System
Right Lung Weight 680 grams
Left Lung Weight 590 grams
In situ layer-by-layer neck dissection shows minimal hemorrhage of the anterior neck muscles as previously described.
The tongue has no hemorrhage. The hyoid bone and the cartilaginous structures of the larynx and the trachea are
normally formed and without fracture. The cervical vertebrae have no displacement, hypermobility, or crepitus.

The lungs have the usual lobation. The pleurae are smooth and glistening. The lungs have no significant anthracotic
pigment. The lungs are well-expanded and crepitant. The parenchyma is dark red and exudes mild amounts of clear
fluid. The lungs have no consolidation, hemorrhage, infarct, tumor, gross fibrosis, or enlargement of air spaces. The
airways are unobstructed, lined by smooth, pink-tan mucosa, and contain no foreign materials.
Gastrointestinal System

Page 3 of 7 F201703200 07 June 2017 15:22

The esophagus and gastroesophageal junction are unremarkable. The stomach contains approximately 200 mL of
brown chyme without visible pills or pill residue. The gastric and duodenal mucosae are intact and unremarkable. The
small and large intestines and appendix are unremarkable to inspection and palpation.
Liver
Liver Weight 1700 grams
The intact capsule is smooth and glistening. The parenchyma is red-brown and uniform without mass, hemorrhage,
yellow discoloration, or palpable fibrosis. The gallbladder contains an estimated 5 mL of bile and no stones. Its mucosa
is uniform, and the wall is not thickened.
Spleen
Spleen Weight 160 grams
The capsule is smooth and intact. The parenchyma is maroon, firm, and uniform.
Pancreas
The pancreas has a normal size, shape, and lobulated structure. The parenchyma is pink-tan, firm, and uniform.
Urinary
Right Kidney Weight 140 grams
Left Kidney Weight 140 grams
The kidneys have a normal shape and position. The cortical surfaces are smooth. The kidneys have the usual
corticomedullary structure without tumors or cysts. The pelves and ureters are not dilated or thickened. The urinary
bladder contains no residual urine. The mucosa is intact, and the bladder wall is not hypertrophied.
Reproductive
The uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are of expected size and have smooth serosal surfaces. The cervix is patent with
a 0.3 cm os. The myometrium is unremarkable, and the endometrium is 0.1 cm thick. The sectioned ovaries are
unremarkable. The vagina is unremarkable.
Endocrine
The thyroid gland is not enlarged, and the lobes are symmetrical. The parenchyma is uniform, firm, and red-brown. The
adrenal glands have the usual size and shape. The cortices are thin, uniform, and yellow with no hemorrhage or tumor.
The pituitary gland is not enlarged.
Neurologic
Brain Weight 1220 grams
The scalp is free of hemorrhage. The calvarium and base of the skull are normally configured and have no fractures. The
dura is intact with no epidural or subdural hemorrhage.

The leptomeninges are glistening and transparent without underlying hemorrhage, exudate, or cortical contusions. The
hemispheres are symmetrical and have a normal gyral pattern. No flattening of the gyri, narrowing of the sulci, midline
shift, or evidence of herniation is identified. The arteries at the base of the brain have no atherosclerotic changes or
aneurysms.

Sections through the cerebral hemispheres have a uniform, intact cortical ribbon and uniform white matter. The basal
ganglia, thalami, hippocampi, and other internal structures are symmetrical and without focal change. The ventricles
are not enlarged, and the linings are smooth and glistening. Sections of the brainstem and cerebellum show an intact
structure without focal lesions.
Immunologic System
No enlargement of the lymph nodes of the neck, chest, or abdomen is identified. The thymus is an appropriate size for
the decedent's age and has pink-tan, lobulated parenchyma.
Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system is well-developed and free of congenital deformity. The clavicles, sternum, ribs, vertebrae,
and pelvis are not fractured. The ribs are not brittle. The skeletal muscle is dark red and firm.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION
Microscopic Comment

Page 4 of 7 F201703200 07 June 2017 15:22

Representative sections of the heart, lungs, liver, brain, and kidney are processed to the level of paraffin blocks.

SUMMARY AND INTERPRETATION

According to the information received, Uniece Glenae Fennell, a 17-year-old female inmate, was found hanging by her
neck with a bed sheet suspended from the window bars of her single jail cell, where she had been seen alive
approximately 30 minutes prior. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated, and death was pronounced. In
November of 2016, she reported a history of depression with an associated hospitalization and that the recent death of
her twin brother had really upset her.

The autopsy documented an obese young woman (body mass index 32.6 kg/m) with a ligature furrow which curved up
on both sides of the neck with minimal hemorrhage in the strap muscles of the right neck. Rare petechial hemorrhages
were seen in the palpebral conjunctivae of the eyes.

Postmortem toxicological analysis detected no ethanol (alcohol), common drugs of abuse, or common medications.

Based on the autopsy findings, toxicology, and circumstances surrounding the death, as currently understood, the cause
of death is listed as asphyxia due to hanging. The manner of death is classified as suicide.

DIAGRAMS
1. Adult FEMALE autopsy diagram
2. Multiview head and neck

Page 5 of 7 F201703200 07 June 2017 15:22

Page 6 of 7 F201703200 07 June 2017 15:22
Page 7 of 7 F201703200 07 June 2017 15:22