DIY VIRAL
Source: Piotrekswat/Getty
In October 2024, BOSSIP reported on the hanging death of Dennoriss Richardson in Sheffield, Alabama, in a home to which he had no personal connection. His family is convinced that unfair play is ongoing, but the Huntsville Department of Forensic Sciences ruled Richardson's death a suicide following a state-sponsored autopsy. AL reported that the family ordered a private autopsy through Dr. Adel Shaker and he ruled that Richardson's cause of death was “asphyxia secondary to neck compression.”
However, Shaker noted the absence of a body part called the hyoid bone, important in determining whether or not a hanging is a suicide.
Via A.L.:
“The ligature article/rope used at the scene did not accompany the body for examination,” Dr. Shaker wrote. “Crime scene photographs must be made available and studied carefully. The absence of a hyoid bone makes it difficult to determine whether it was a homicide or suicide. A thorough and meticulous investigation must be carried out to rule out a staged suicide.
Leigh Richardson, Dennoriss's wife, released a statement via APNews reaffirming his doubts about the findings of the investigation into the state of Alabama.
The sheriff's department “declared he committed suicide early on, within five days of the investigation,” Leigh Richardson said in a statement. “That’s why we fight for the truth. It was by no means easy. However, we do know that “NaNa” didn’t kill herself.
The AP noted that the hyoid bone was not present when Dr. Saker conducted his examination of Richardson's body. State medical examiner Dr. Thomas Andrew says the hyoid ruptures in only 25 percent of strangulations and 50 percent of hangings. Dr Andrew says removal is “common practice” and he would only provide it to a private pathologist if requested.
It's just another reason the family doesn't trust the process and is pushing for more transparency from the state. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
DIY VIRAL
