IMO, it's not odd, it's because LE are still investigating that exact issue.
JMO, but either:
- the manner of death can't be conclusively proven solely by the autopsy (there was a gunshot wound), therefore police are trying to trace the exact sequence of events, since homicide can be staged as suicide and suicide can be staged as homicide.
Or
- LE are investigating homicide and, to aid their investigation, don't want to reveal any evidence, even to the family, because they don't want the potential murderer(s) to know what they know.
I can think of cases that fall under both scenarios, where it was a full year before the ruling on the nature of the death was released, namely Rita Maze, and Kouri Richens.
JMO
Those are logical assumptions to make, but LE hasn't said any of that. Many of us have followed some very complicated cases that took many years to prosecute. But they always say whether it was foul play or suicide or accident or undetermined or something.
They don't have to reveal autopsy reports, but if they're undecided they should report to the family and the public (via the news media) a minimal amount of information that says "Hey, it was a murder or we're undecided". They don't have to reveal information that hinders the investigation. It's about transparency.
Take the Rhoden Family Massacre as an example. 8 family members dead in 4 different homes. The investigation took 3 years before arrests were made. During that time they issued very brief descriptions of COD - gunshot wounds, mostly. The Ohio AG went to the Ohio Supreme Court to keep the final autopsy reports under wraps. 4 members of another family were arrested for the murders. Two pleaded guilty and testified against the others. The third was found guilty at trial and the dad will probably be convicted next year - 8 years later. It took a long time, but revealing the cause of death didn't hinder the investigation or convictions. It can be done.
Rhoden family massacre: Autopsy reports indicate one victim was awake when fatally shot
Authorities had previously said the family members were killed in their sleep, but the forearm wound would indicate Christopher Rhoden Sr. was awake at the time of his death.
www.cincinnati.com