Found Deceased CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *CW GUILTY* #54

DNA Solves
DNA Solves
DNA Solves

New Posts

Status
Not open for further replies.
MassGuy said:
After reading the autopsy reports, I found nothing surprising in them.

The DA made us aware beforehand of the injuries to Bella, to include the mouth wound and scape on her backside.

Shanann died from strangulation. The kids died from asphyxiation. The bodies of the children were saturated in oil, to include their clothing.

The clothing is the most important part to me. It appears that all the victims were dressed for bed.
Click to expand...
I don’t think Shanann made it to bed, I don’t know of any woman who sleeps in her bra.
 
PRESSER: (Parts only)

Nichol Kessinger

Rourke: She (NK) originally came forward and spoke to investigators on her own volition. Prior to the time, unfortunately, that she came in and spoke with investigators, she had deleted all of the information off of her phone that had any connection between her and CW. That hampered our investigation. That hampered our ability to get that electronic digital connection between the two. She was interviewed on multiple occasions. I believe that for the most part she was forthcoming in the course of those investigations. We don’t have any reason to believe that she had any prior knowledge or involvement in the death of Shan’ann, Bella, Celeste or Nico.

The letter

Rourke: You’re seeing a lot of puzzled looks up here because none of us have ever heard that. I’ve never seen that on social media. I confirmed just by the look on his face with Det. V that we have never seen nor heard of any such letter or its existence before. I’m sure that if it was in any way, shape or form real, we would have heard about it.
 
Michael A. Burson, MD PhDForensic Pathology Consultant

Investigation#: WCCO 18-435
Date and time of death: August 16, 2018 at 0005 hrs (pronounced)
Date and time of autopsy: August 17, 2018 at 1030 hrs Age: 34 YEARS

Sex: Female

DIAGNOSES:
I. HISTORY OF BEING REPORTED MISSING AND SUBSEQUENTLY BEING FOUND

UNRESPONSIVE IN AN OBVIOUS STATE OF DEATH IN A SHALLOW GRAVE: A. ASPHYXIATION DUE TO MANUAL STRANGULATION:

1.BRUISING OF THE ANTERIOR STRAP MUSCLES OF THE NECK (RIGHT > LEFT)

B.MILD TO MODERATE DECOMPOSITION CONSISTING OF GENERALIZED DISCOLORATION, BLOATING AND SKIN SLIPPAGE

II. HISTORY OF INTRAUTERINE PREGNANCY, SECOND TRIMESTER: A. LARGELY DECOMPOSED FETUS AND PLACENTAL UNIT
1. FOUND EXPELLED FROM THE GRAVID UTERUS

III. TOXICOLOGY:
A. POSTMORTEM – BASIC, SPLEEN BLOOD:

TOXICOLOGY: Reference Lab:

1. ETHANOL-----------------------------128 mg/dL
2. BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC)---0.128 g/100 mL

NMS Labs
3701 Welsh Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
WATTS, SHANANN
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-155 -2-

OPINION:
Based on the history provided and the autopsy findings, the cause of death is asphyxiation due to manual strangulation by another individual. The manner of death is homicide.

Michael A. Burson, M.D., PhD Forensic Pathology Consultant Signed: September 26, 2018

MB/NW AD: 08/17/2018 AT: 08/19/2018 MD: 09/01/2018 MT: 09/01/2018

WATTS, SHANANN
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-155 -3-

HISTORY: The decedent is a 34-year-old Caucasian female (DOB: 01/10/1984) who has a largely unknown medical history at the time of this autopsy. Reportedly, the decedent returned home from a business trip on the early morning hours of August 13, 2018. This was the last time she was seen alive. The decedent was subsequently reported missing on the afternoon of August 13, 2018. Following an extensive search and investigation by law enforcement, the decedent was found unresponsive in an obvious state of death in a shallow grave in rural Colorado. The decedent was pronounced dead at the gravesite at 0005 hours on August 16, 2018.

WITNESSES: Personnel present for the postmortem examination include Michael Burson, MD PhD, Pathologist and Joey Weiner, Autopsy Assistant. For a complete list of individuals present at the autopsy, please see the investigative report file held at the Weld County Coroner’s Office.

District Attorney Disclaimer: At 1010 hours on August 17, 2018 the representative from the District Attorney’s Office read a portion of an email which he received from the Public Defender’s Office. In this email the Public Defender has requested that we swab the necks of the children for residual trace DNA. According to him and his expert DNA witness, they anticipate trace DNA being preserved on the neck structures of the children despite being confined in a container of oil, water and associated sludge matter over the course of several days.

IDENTIFICATION:
• BytheWeldCountyCoroner,StateofColorado.

CLOTHING: The decedent is received in a sealed body bag (seal# 0420295) and clad in the following clothing items:

• Apurplet-shirt
• Apairofblueunderwear
• Ablackbra
• Awhitemetalpiercingintheleftnaris• Paperbagsarearoundeachhand

WATTS, SHANANN
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-155 -4-

IDENTIFYING MARKS AND SCARS:• Nonevisualized

EVIDENCE OF MEDICAL/SURGICAL INTERVENTION: Evidence of medical/surgical intervention consists of the following:

• None

EVIDENCE OF INJURY

EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY:
• Possible patterned abrasions of the neck and left aspect of the

face (see below)

INTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY:

  • A1cmareaofprobablebruisingontheanteriorsubcutaneousneck

    tissue

  • Bruising of the superior aspect of the right sternocleidomastoid

    muscle

  • Bruising of the soft tissue and fascial tissue of the surface of

    the right thyroid cartilage

  • Bruisingofthesofttissueassociatedwiththerighthornofthe

    thyroid bone, which is intact

    GENERAL EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

    The autopsy is commenced at 1030 hours, on August 17, 2018 on the body of Shanann Watts at the McKee Medical Center, Loveland, CO. This autopsy is performed at the request of the Weld County Coroner, State of Colorado. The body is that of a well-developed, well-nourished although decomposing Caucasian female whose appearance is generally consistent with the reported age of 34 years. The body measures approximately 67-inches long and weighs 144 pounds.

    The body exhibits mild to moderate decomposition consisting of generalized discoloration, bloating and skin slippage.

    At the time of autopsy, rigor mortis is released in the major muscle
WATTS, SHANANN
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-155 -5-

groups. Livor mortis is not readily apparent due to postmortem artifact. There is however an area of blanching on the right aspect of the abdomen extending along the groin to the right thigh. This is likely consistent with an area of pressure, based on the body positioning at the time of discovery.

HEAD: Head hair is brown, normally distributed although sloughing from the scalp and measures approximately 30 cm long over the crown. EYES: The eyes are moderately opacified (postmortem artifact). The irides appear brown; the pupils are equal at 0.4 cm. The sclerae are dull although white. There are no discernible scleral or conjunctival petechiae. NOSE: The nose is midline although dried. It does not grate upon palpation. ORAL CAVITY: The oral cavity contains natural dentition in good repair. There are no discernible buccal mucosal petechiae. The lips exhibit mild drying artifact.

NECK: The neck structures are midline and without palpable adenopathy. There is a linear array of variably sized, purple-black, circular defects which extend from the inferior aspect of the chin, along the jawline, up the left aspect of the face, towards the left temporal area.

CHEST: The breasts and nipples are normal adult female without palpable masses.

ABDOMEN: The abdomen is moderately protuberant and tense. There is no detectable fluid wave.

GENITALIA: The external genitalia are largely normal adult female, however the internal genitalia are protruding through the vaginal vault. This likely represents prolapse of the uterus due to pregnancy and postmortem artifact. Adjacent to the probable uterus is a largely degraded portion of tissue which is unfortunately covered in sandy debris from the gravesite. Upon further examination of this tissue, it is revealed to be a largely decomposed fetus. Gender and age cannot be determined, however it has the following measurements: crown/rump length of approximately 10.5 cm and a foot length of approximately 0.7 - 0.8 cm. There is an approximate 17 cm umbilical cord extending to a disrupted placental disc. The membranes are ruptured and covered with

WATTS, SHANANN
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-155 -6-

sandy debris. Portions of the placenta, umbilical cord and membranes will be retained and the fetus will be transferred to the jurisdiction of CBI for subsequent genetic analysis.

EXTREMITIES:
UPPER EXTREMITIES: The upper extremities are well-developed and symmetrical with all digits present. The fingernails are long and in good repair although markedly dirty with sand and debris from the gravesite. The fingernails are pulled and retained as evidence by law enforcement. LOWER EXTREMITIES: The lower extremities are well- developed and symmetrical with all digits present. The toenails are short and in good repair with the exception of abundant sandy debris from the gravesite.

BACK AND SACRUM: The back and sacrum are unremarkable.

GENERAL INTERNAL EXAMINATION

The body is opened with a routine thoracoabdominal incision. The subcutaneous fat measures 2 cm in thickness at the level of the umbilicus.

BODY CAVITIES: There are no abnormal fluid accumulations or adhesions in any of the body cavities. The internal organs however do exhibit marked discoloration and vacuolization due to postmortem artifact. The internal organs are also markedly dry.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 210 grams. The epicardial surface is unremarkable. The coronary ostia are patent. The coronary arteries follow a right dominant distribution. Sectioning reveals no significant narrowing by atherosclerosis. There is no acute thrombosis. The endocardial surface and papillary muscles are unremarkable. The myocardium is red-brown, firm and without fibrosis. The valve leaflets are thin and pliant. AORTA: The aorta has a normal smooth yellow intimal surface. There is minimal atherosclerotic streaking noted. The major branches, including the celiac, superior and inferior mesenteric, and renal arteries are widely patent. The inferior vena cava is unremarkable.

WATTS, SHANANN
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-155 -7-

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The right and left lungs weigh 280 and 320 grams, respectively, and show normal septation. The lung parenchyma is pale tan-brown and markedly atelectatic. There are no masses or gross areas of consolidation. The trachea and mainstem bronchi are unremarkable. There are no foreign bodies or masses. The pulmonary arteries are free of thromboemboli.

SPLEEN: The spleen is soft and weighs 120 grams. The capsule is intact, smooth and glistening. The parenchyma is firm, red-purple and smooth. There are no infarcts, nodules, scars or cysts present.

LIVER AND BILIARY SYSTEM:
LIVER: The liver weighs 900 grams. The capsule is intact. The parenchyma is firm and red-brown. No masses are detected. GALLBLADDER: A thin-walled gallbladder contains one well-formed gallstone.

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT:
ESOPHAGUS: The esophagus has a uniform diameter and intact mucosa. STOMACH: The stomach is empty. The mucosa is smooth, glistening and arranged in normal rugal folds. There are no gastric or duodenal ulcers. SMALL AND LARGE INTESTINES: The small and large intestines have a uniform dimension and appear unremarkable. The vermiform appendix is not visualized.

PANCREAS: The pancreas is tan-orange with lobular architecture. There is no evidence of hemorrhage or saponification.

ADRENAL GLANDS: The adrenal glands have a golden cortex and gray-brown medulla.

GENITOURINARY SYSTEM:
KIDNEYS: The right and left kidneys weigh 120 and 100 grams, respectively. The capsules strip with ease. The external cortical surface is red-purple and smooth. The cortices are well delineated from the medullary pyramids. The pelves and ureters are nondilated. URINARY BLADDER: The urinary bladder is empty. The mucosal surface is tan-pink, moist and smooth. FEMALE INTERNAL GENITALIA: The fallopian tubes and ovaries are unremarkable. The uterus (480 grams), measuring 19 x 14 x 2 cm, is prolapsed through the vaginal vault. The uterus is opened to

WATTS, SHANANN
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-155 -8-

reveal a predominantly empty space with membranous fragments remaining. There is also red-brown fluid and discoloration of the endometrial lining.

NECK: Traumatic injury has been previously described. The anterior musculature is smooth and dull. The epiglottis and hypopharynx are unremarkable. The hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage are intact. The laryngeal mucosa is unremarkable. There are no masses or aspirated material. The thyroid gland has symmetrical lobes and appears unremarkable.

SPINE: The spine has normal configuration. There is faintly visible hardware involving the anterior aspect of the cervical spine at the level of C6. There is no soft tissue hemorrhage or other abnormalities associated with this prior surgical site.

SKULL AND BRAIN: Reflection of the scalp reveals areas of congestion and discoloration which are likely associated with postmortem artifact. There is no evidence of discrete hemorrhage, contusions or lacerations. Reflection of the skull reveals no evidence of epidural or subdural hemorrhage. There is no subarachnoid hemorrhage. The brain is markedly soft and discolored (postmortem artifact) and weighs 1080 grams. The cerebrovascular system has normal configuration. The cranial nerves are symmetrically intact. Serial coronal sections through the brain reveal no areas of hemorrhage, contusion or mass lesion within the cortex, white matter, brainstem or cerebellum. The atlanto-occipital joint is intact. The cervical spinal column has normal mobility.

SPECIMENS OBTAINED

SPECIMENS: Specimens retained at the time of autopsy include blood obtained from the spleen. Representative sections of major organs are also retained.

TOXICOLOGY: Blood obtained from the spleen is submitted to NMS Labs for analysis.

WATTS, SHANANN
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-155 -9-

EVIDENCE:

  • The fetus is transferred to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation

    for genetic analysis if warranted in the future.

  • Swabs:

    o The palmar surfaces of the hands o Anterior and lateral neck surface o Face

  • X-rays:APandlateralviewsoftheheadandneck

  • Bilateralfingernailclippings

  • Deoxyribonucleicacidbloodspotcard(DNA)

    HISTOLOGY: Sections of heart, lung, liver, kidney, brain, right sternocleidomastoid muscle, right sternothyroid muscle, soft tissue from the surface of the right thyroid cartilage and right lobe of the thyroid are submitted for histology.

    MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION

    **ALL TISSUE SECTIONS EXAMINED SHOW MARKED POST MORTEM AUTOLYSIS
 
Gardenista said:
From the autopsy

CLOTHING: The decedent is received in a sealed body bag (seal# 0420295) and clad in the following clothing items:

• A purple t-shirt
• A pair of blue underwear
• A black bra
• A white metal piercing in the left naris
• Paper bags are around each hand
Click to expand...
Awe. It's a lot to process. I am so very sad.
 
P.O. Box 419
Loveland, CO 80539
E-mail: specializedpathology@me.com

Michael A. Burson, MD PhDForensic Pathology Consultant

AUTOPSY REPORT
Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm (970) 820-4126 After-hours: (970) 820-4151 Fax:

(970) 820-2509

Case#: AW18-156

Age: 4 YEARSSex: Female

Name of decedent: Bella Watts

Investigation#: WCCO 18-436

Date and time of death: August 16, 2018 at 1750 hrs(Pronounced)

Date and time of autopsy: August 17, 2018 at 1330 hrs

DIAGNOSES:
I. HISTORY OF BEING REPORTED MISSING AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOCATED IN AN

OBVIOUS STATE OF DEATH WITHIN AN OIL TANK BATTERY:
A. ASPHYXIATION DUE TO SMOTHERING
B.BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA OF THE FRENULUM AND GINGIVAL MUCOSA OF

THE MAXILLA
C. POSTMORTEM ARTIFACT (DECOMPOSITION)
D. OIL, WATER AND SLUDGE DEBRIS IN THE STOMACH

II. HYDROCARBON EXPOSURE III. TOXICOLOGY:

A. POSTMORTEM – BASIC, LIVER TISSUE---------NONE DETECTED B.HYDROCARBON AND OXYGENATED VOLATILES PANEL, CHEST CAVITY

BLOOD:

  1. BENZENE---------------------------PRESENT

  2. ETHYLBENZENE----------------------PRESENT

  3. TOLUENE---------------------------3.7 mcg/mL

  4. XYLENES (O,M,P)-------------------PRESENT

  5. N-HEXANE--------------------------PRESENT

  6. METHYLPENTANES (2-,3-ISOMERS)-----PRESENT

  7. N-BUTANOL-------------------------PRESENT
WATTS, BELLA
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-156 -2-

TOXICOLOGY: Reference Lab:

8. ETHANOL---------------------------13 mg/dL 9. ACETALDEHYDE----------------------PRESENT

NMS Labs
3701 Welsh Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
OPINION:
Based on the history provided and the autopsy findings, the cause of death is asphyxiation due to smothering. The toxicology results likely represent decomposition and an artifact of being submerged in an oil tank for several days. The manner of death is homicide.

Michael A. Burson, M.D., PhD Forensic Pathology Consultant Signed: September 27, 2018

MB/NW AD: 08/17/2018 AT: 08/19/2018 MD: 09/01/2018 MT: 09/01/2018

WATTS, BELLA
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-156 -3-

HISTORY: The decedent is a 4-year-old Caucasian female (DOB: 12/17/2013) who has an unknown medical history at the time of this autopsy. Reportedly, the decedent was reported missing with her sibling and mother on the afternoon of August 13, 2018. Unfortunately, the decedent was subsequently located in an obvious state of death within an oil tank battery container on rural property. The decedent was pronounced dead at the scene at 1750 hours on August 16, 2018.

WITNESSES: Personnel present for the postmortem examination include Michael Burson, MD PhD, Pathologist and Joey Weiner, Autopsy Assistant. For a complete list of individuals present at the autopsy, please see the investigative report file held at the Weld County Coroner’s Office.

District Attorney Disclaimer: At 1010 hours on August 17, 2018 the representative from the District Attorney’s Office read a portion of an email which he received from the Public Defender’s Office. In this email the Public Defender has requested that we swab the necks of the children for residual trace DNA. According to him and his expert DNA witness, they anticipate trace DNA being preserved on the neck structures of the children despite being confined in a container of oil, water and associated sludge matter over the course of four days.

IDENTIFICATION:
• BytheWeldCountyCoroner,StateofColorado.

CLOTHING: The decedent is received in an unsealed body bag, wrapped in a bed sheet (from retrieval process) and clad in the following clothing items:

  • An oil-soaked pink pajama-type top with images of hearts and butterflies

  • Apairofoil-soakedunderwear IDENTIFYING MARKS AND SCARS:

    • Nonevisualized
    EVIDENCE OF MEDICAL/SURGICAL INTERVENTION: Evidence of medical/surgical

    intervention consists of the following:• None
WATTS, BELLA
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-156 -4-

EVIDENCE OF INJURY

EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY:

  • A13x3cmareaofverticalexcoriationsontheleftbuttocks

  • An at least 1.5 cm laceration of the frenulum and upper gumline

    with associated pink-purple contusions

  • Superficial probable bite wounds of the mucosal surface of the

    tongue

  • A9xupto4cmyellow-tanpossibleabrasiononthelefttorso

  • A3x1.5cmfaintyellow-tandiscolorationonthesuperioraspect

    of the left shoulder INTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY:

    • None

    GENERAL EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

    The autopsy is commenced at 1330 hours, on August 17, 2018 on the body of Bella Watts at the McKee Medical Center, Loveland, CO. This autopsy is performed at the request of the Weld County Coroner, State of Colorado. The body is that of a well-developed, well-nourished Caucasian female whose appearance is generally consistent with the reported age of 4 years. The body measures approximately 41-inches long and weighs 38 pounds.

    At the time of autopsy, rigor mortis is released in the major muscle groups and the muscles of mastication. Livor mortis is not readily apparent due to postmortem artifact (decomposition).

    There is postmortem artifact consisting of bloating, marbling of the abdominal surfaces and areas of skin slippage. Unfortunately, the body was found in an oil tanker containing oil and aqueous fluid. This resulted in abundant skin slippage upon washing.

    HEAD: Head hair is blonde-brown, normally distributed and measures up to 15 cm long over the crown. EYES: The eyes are moderately opacified (postmortem artifact). The irides appear brown; the pupils are equal at
WATTS, BELLA
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-156 -5-

0.3 cm. The sclerae are dull, however there are no discernible scleral or conjunctival petechiae. NOSE: The nose is midline and does not grate upon palpation. ORAL CAVITY: The oral cavity contains natural dentition in good repair. The frenulum is markedly disrupted and there are adjacent pink-purple bruises of the buccal mucosa present. There are also teeth impressions and superficial bite marks on the mucosal surface of the tongue.

NECK: The neck structures are midline and without palpable adenopathy. CHEST: The breasts and nipples are normal female.

ABDOMEN: The abdomen is mildly protuberant and slightly tense (postmortem artifact).

GENITALIA: The external genitalia are normal female.

EXTREMITIES:
UPPER EXTREMITIES: The upper extremities are well-developed and symmetrical with all digits present. The fingernails are short, dirty and in fair repair without evidence of tearing. The fingernails are clipped and retained as evidence. LOWER EXTREMITIES: The lower extremities are well-developed and symmetrical with all digits present. The toenails are short, dirty and in fair repair.

BACK AND SACRUM: The back and sacrum are unremarkable.

GENERAL INTERNAL EXAMINATION

The body is opened with a routine thoracoabdominal incision. The subcutaneous fat measures 1.2 cm in thickness at the level of the umbilicus.

BODY CAVITIES: There are no abnormal fluid accumulations or adhesions in any of the body cavities.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 80 grams. The epicardial surface is unremarkable. The coronary ostia are patent. The coronary arteries follow a right dominant distribution. Sectioning reveals no

WATTS, BELLA
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-156 -6-

significant narrowing by atherosclerosis. There is no acute thrombosis. The endocardial surface and papillary muscles are unremarkable. The myocardium is red-brown, firm and without fibrosis. The valve leaflets are thin and pliant. AORTA: The aorta has a normal smooth yellow intimal surface. There is minimal atherosclerotic streaking noted. The major branches, including the celiac, superior and inferior mesenteric, and renal arteries are widely patent. The inferior vena cava is unremarkable.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The right and left lungs weigh 160 and 140 grams, respectively, and show normal septation. The lung parenchyma is mottled pink-tan to purple. There are no masses or gross areas of consolidation. The trachea and mainstem bronchi are unremarkable. There are no foreign bodies or masses. The pulmonary arteries are free of thromboemboli.

SPLEEN: The spleen is soft and weighs 60 grams. The capsule is intact, smooth and glistening. The parenchyma is firm, red-purple and smooth. There are no infarcts, nodules, scars or cysts present.

LIVER AND BILIARY SYSTEM:
LIVER: The liver weighs 350 grams. The capsule is intact. The parenchyma is firm and red-brown. No masses are detected. GALLBLADDER: A thin-walled gallbladder is empty.

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT:
ESOPHAGUS: The esophagus has a uniform diameter and intact mucosa. STOMACH: The stomach contains approximately 75 ml of viscous, green- black fluid which is suggestive of oil and particulate matter from the oil tank which she was in. The mucosa is smooth, glistening and arranged in normal rugal folds. There are no gastric or duodenal ulcers. SMALL AND LARGE INTESTINES: The small and large intestines have a uniform dimension and appear unremarkable. The vermiform appendix is present.

PANCREAS: The pancreas is tan-orange with lobular architecture. There is no evidence of hemorrhage or saponification.

ADRENAL GLANDS: The adrenal glands have a golden cortex and gray-brown

WATTS, BELLA
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-156 -7-

medulla.

GENITOURINARY SYSTEM:
KIDNEYS: The right and left kidneys weigh 50 grams each. The capsules strip with ease. The external cortical surface is red-purple and smooth. The cortices are well delineated from the medullary pyramids. The pelves and ureters are nondilated. URINARY BLADDER: The urinary bladder is empty. The mucosal surface is tan-pink, moist and smooth. FEMALE INTERNAL GENITALIA: The cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are unremarkable.

NECK: The anterior musculature is smooth and glistening. The epiglottis and hypopharynx are unremarkable. The hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage are intact. The laryngeal mucosa is pink-purple, moist and smooth. There are no masses or aspirated material. The thyroid gland has symmetrical lobes and appears unremarkable.

SPINE: The spine has normal configuration.

SKULL AND BRAIN: Reflection of the scalp reveals patchy areas of likely Tardieu spots. These areas are incised to reveal superficial blood collections within the fascial planes. There do not appear to be any contusions present. The skull is intact and without fracture. The dura is intact and without epidural or subdural hemorrhage. There is no subarachnoid hemorrhage. The brain is moderately edematous with flattening of the gyri and narrowing of the sulci and weighs 1300 grams. The cerebrovascular system has normal configuration. The cranial nerves are symmetrically intact. Serial coronal sections through the brain reveal no areas of hemorrhage, contusion or mass lesion within the cortex, white matter, brainstem or cerebellum. The atlanto- occipital joint is intact. The cervical spinal column has normal mobility.

SPECIMENS OBTAINED

SPECIMENS: Specimens retained at the time of autopsy include vitreous fluid and blood collected from the peripheral veins, heart and lungs.

TOXICOLOGY: Pooled blood as described above and liver are submitted to

WATTS, BELLA
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-156 -8-

NMS Labs for analysis.

HISTOLOGY: Sections of heart, lung, liver, kidney and brain are submitted for histology.

EVIDENCE:
• Swabsoffacepriortowashing
• Swabsofanteriorneckpriortowashing
• Swabsoffaceafterwashing
• Swabsofanteriorneckafterwashing
• Swabsofbilateralhands(palmarsurface)
• Oralswabs
• Vaginalswabs
• Bilateralfingernailclippings
• Deoxyribonucleicacidbloodspotcard(DNA)

Radiographs (X-rays):
• Full body X-rays are taken and submitted to the Weld County

Coroner’s Office

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION

HEART: Sections of the heart are without histopathologic abnormality. LUNG: Sections of the lung are without histopathologic abnormality. LIVER: Sections of the liver are without histopathologic abnormality. KIDNEY: Sections of the kidney are without histopathologic abnormality. BRAIN: Sections of the brain are without histopathologic abnormality.
 
P.O. Box 419
Loveland, CO 80539
E-mail: specializedpathology@me.com

Michael A. Burson, MD PhDForensic Pathology Consultant

AUTOPSY REPORT
Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm (970) 820-4126 After-hours: (970) 820-4151 Fax:

(970) 820-2509

Case#: AW18-157

Age: 3 YEARSSex: Female

Name of decedent: Celeste Watts
Investigation#: WCCO 18-437
Date and time of death: August 16, 2018 at 1540 hrsDate and time of autopsy: August 17, 2018 at 1730 hrs

DIAGNOSES:
I. HISTORY OF BEING REPORTED MISSING AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOCATED IN AN

OBVIOUS STATE OF DEATH WITHIN AN OIL TANK BATTERY: A. ASPHYXIATION DUE TO SMOTHERING
B. MILD POSTMORTEM ARTIFACT

II. TOXICOLOGY:
A. POSTMORTEM – BASIC, SPLEEN BLOOD-----NONE DETECTED
B. HYDROCARBON AND OXYGENATED VOLATILES PANEL, SPLEEN BLOOD:

1. N-BUTANOL---------------------4.4 mcg/mL 2. ETHANOL-----------------------31 mg/dL 3. N-PROPANOL--------------------PRESENT
4. ACETALDEHYDE------------------PRESENT

C. ETHANOL, LIVER TISSUE---------------SEE COMMENT
1.COMMENT: THE CONCENTRATION OF THE ETHANOL INCREASED FROM 99 MG/100 G TO 174 MG/100 G OVER THE COURSE OF MULTIPLE ANALYSES. THE NATURE OF THE SPECIMEN AND/OR THE CONTAINER TYPE WHICH MAY NOT CONTAIN PRESERVATIVE, MAY EXPLAIN THE VARIABLE QUANTITATIVE

RESULTS.

WATTS, CELESTE
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-157 -2-

TOXICOLOGY:
Reference Lab: NMS Labs

3701 Welsh Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
OPINION:
Based on the history provided and the autopsy findings, the likely cause of death is asphyxiation due to smothering. The toxicology results likely represent decomposition and an artifact of being submerged in an oil tank for several days. The manner of death is homicide.

Michael A. Burson, M.D., PhD Forensic Pathology Consultant Signed: September 27, 2018

MB/NW AD: 08/17/2018 AT: 08/19/2018 MD: 09/01/2018 MT: 09/01/2018

WATTS, CELESTE
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-157 -3-

HISTORY: The decedent is a 3-year-old Caucasian female (DOB: 07/17/2015) who has a medical history significant for peanut allergies. Reportedly, the decedent was reported missing, along with her sister and mother, on the afternoon of August 13, 2018. She was unfortunately subsequently found unresponsive in an obvious state of death contained within an oil tank battery on rural property. The decedent was pronounced dead at the oil field at 1540 hours on August 16, 2018.

WITNESSES: Personnel present for the postmortem examination include Michael Burson, MD PhD, Pathologist and Joey Weiner, Autopsy Assistant. For a complete list of individuals present at the autopsy, please see the investigative report file held at the Weld County Coroner’s Office.

District Attorney Disclaimer: At 1010 hours on August 17, 2018 the representative from the District Attorney’s Office read a portion of an email which he received from the Public Defender’s Office. In this email the Public Defender has requested that we swab the necks of the children for residual trace DNA. According to him and his expert DNA witness, they anticipate trace DNA being preserved on the neck structures of the children despite being confined in a container of oil, water and associated sludge matter over the course of four days.

IDENTIFICATION:
• BytheWeldCountyCoroner,StateofColorado.

CLOTHING: The decedent is received in an unsealed body bag and clad in the following clothing items (the clothing is all covered in oil and debris):

• Apinkandblackt-shirt• Adiaper
• Apairofunderwear

IDENTIFYING MARKS AND SCARS:• None

EVIDENCE OF MEDICAL/SURGICAL INTERVENTION: Evidence of medical/surgical intervention consists of the following:

• None

WATTS, CELESTE
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-157 -4-

EVIDENCE OF INJURY

EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY:
• Nosignificanttraumaisnoted

INTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY:• None

GENERAL EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

The autopsy is commenced at 1730 hours, on August 17, 2018 on the body of Celeste Watts at the McKee Medical Center, Loveland, CO. This autopsy is performed at the request of the Weld County Coroner, State of Colorado. The body is that of a well-developed, well-nourished Caucasian female whose appearance is generally consistent with the reported age of 3 years. The body measures approximately 37 1⁄2 inches long and weighs 37 pounds.

At the time of autopsy, rigor mortis is released in the major muscle groups and the muscles of mastication. Livor mortis is not readily apparent due to postmortem artifact.

The body exhibits mild postmortem artifact consisting of generalized bloating, areas of marbling, skin discoloration and skin slippage. During the washing procedure, the majority of the skin is sloughed from the surface.

HEAD: Head hair is red-brown, normally distributed and measures up to 15 cm long over the crown. EYES: The eyes are opacified (postmortem artifact). The irides appear brown; the pupils are equal at 0.3 cm. The sclerae are dull and there are no discernible scleral or conjunctival petechiae. NOSE: The nose is midline and does not grate upon palpation. ORAL CAVITY: The oral cavity contains natural dentition in good repair. There are no buccal mucosal petechiae.

NECK: The neck structures are midline and without palpable adenopathy. CHEST: The breasts and nipples are normal female.

WATTS, CELESTE
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-157 -5-

ABDOMEN: The abdomen is mildly protuberant and tense (postmortem artifact). There is no detectable fluid wave.

GENITALIA: The external genitalia are normal female.

EXTREMITIES:
UPPER EXTREMITIES: The upper extremities are well-developed and symmetrical. The palmar surfaces of the hands were previously sloughed off during the body recovery process and are packaged separately. The palmar surfaces of the hands and digits and the accompanying fingernails are retained and transferred to the jurisdiction of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. LOWER EXTREMITIES: The lower extremities are well-developed and symmetrical with all digits present. The toenails are short, slightly dirty and in good repair.

BACK AND SACRUM: The back and sacrum are unremarkable.

GENERAL INTERNAL EXAMINATION

The body is opened with a routine thoracoabdominal incision. The subcutaneous fat measures 1 cm in thickness at the level of the umbilicus.

BODY CAVITIES: There are no abnormal fluid accumulations or adhesions in any of the body cavities. The internal organs all exhibit marked discoloration and vacuolization due to postmortem artifact.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 80 grams. The epicardial surface is unremarkable. The coronary ostia are patent. The coronary arteries follow a right dominant distribution. Sectioning reveals no significant narrowing by atherosclerosis. There is no acute thrombosis. The endocardial surface and papillary muscles are unremarkable. The myocardium is red-brown, firm and without fibrosis. The valve leaflets are thin and pliant. AORTA: The aorta has a normal smooth yellow intimal surface. There is minimal atherosclerotic streaking noted. The major branches, including the celiac, superior and inferior mesenteric, and renal arteries are widely patent. The inferior vena cava is unremarkable.

WATTS, CELESTE
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-157 -6-

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The right and left lungs weigh 180 and 160 grams, respectively, and show normal septation. The lung parenchyma is dark pink-tan to purple and markedly atelectatic. There are no masses or gross areas of consolidation. The trachea and mainstem bronchi are unremarkable. There are no foreign bodies or masses. The pulmonary arteries are free of thromboemboli.

SPLEEN: The spleen is soft and weighs 40 grams. The capsule is intact, smooth and glistening. The parenchyma is firm, red-purple and smooth. There are no infarcts, nodules, scars or cysts present.

LIVER AND BILIARY SYSTEM:
LIVER: The liver weighs 320 grams. The capsule is intact. The parenchyma is firm and red-brown. No masses are detected. GALLBLADDER: A thin-walled gallbladder is empty.

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT:
ESOPHAGUS: The esophagus has a uniform diameter and intact mucosa. STOMACH: The stomach is empty. The mucosa is smooth, glistening and arranged in normal rugal folds. There are no gastric or duodenal ulcers. SMALL AND LARGE INTESTINES: The small and large intestines have a uniform dimension and appear unremarkable. The vermiform appendix is present.

PANCREAS: The pancreas is tan-orange with lobular architecture. There is no evidence of hemorrhage or saponification.

ADRENAL GLANDS: The adrenal glands have a golden cortex and gray-brown medulla.

GENITOURINARY SYSTEM:
KIDNEYS: The right and left kidneys weigh 50 and 40 grams, respectively. The capsules strip with ease. The external cortical surface is red-purple and smooth. The cortices are well delineated from the medullary pyramids. The pelves and ureters are nondilated. URINARY BLADDER: The urinary bladder is empty. The mucosal surface is tan-pink, moist and smooth. FEMALE INTERNAL GENITALIA: The cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are unremarkable.

WATTS, CELESTE
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-157 -7-

NECK: The anterior musculature is smooth and glistening. The epiglottis and hypopharynx are unremarkable. The hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage are intact. The laryngeal mucosa is pink-purple, moist and smooth. There are no masses or aspirated material. The thyroid gland has symmetrical lobes and appears unremarkable.

SPINE: The spine has normal configuration.

SKULL AND BRAIN: Reflection of the scalp reveals no areas of laceration, contusion or hematoma. The skull is intact and without fracture. The dura is intact and without epidural or subdural hemorrhage. There is no subarachnoid hemorrhage. The brain markedly soft and edematous (postmortem artifact) and weighs 1280 grams. The cerebrovascular system has normal configuration. The cranial nerves are symmetrically intact. Serial coronal sections through the brain reveal no areas of hemorrhage, contusion or mass lesion within the cortex, white matter, brainstem or cerebellum. The atlanto-occipital joint is intact. The cervical spinal column has normal mobility.

SPECIMENS OBTAINED

SPECIMENS: Specimens retained at the time of autopsy include pooled blood from the iliac veins and heart, blood obtained from the spleen and liver tissue.

TOXICOLOGY: Pooled blood, spleen blood and liver tissue are submitted to NMS Labs for analysis.

HISTOLOGY: Sections of heart, lung, liver, kidney and brain are submitted for histology.

EVIDENCE:
• Swabsoffacepriortowashing
• Swabsofanteriorneckpriortowashing
• Swabsoffaceafterwashing
• Swabsofanteriorneckafterwashing
• Swabsofbilateralhands(palmarsurface)

WATTS, CELESTE
Weld County, Colorado
Autopsy No. AW18-157 -8-

• Oralswabs
• Vaginalswabs
• Skin(palmarsurfaces)andfingernailsfromthebilateralhands• Deoxyribonucleicacidbloodspotcard(DNA)

Radiographs (X-rays):
• Full body X-rays are taken and submitted to the Weld County

Coroner’s Office

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION

HEART: Sections of the heart are without histopathologic abnormality. LUNG: Sections of the lung are without histopathologic abnormality. LIVER: Sections of the liver are without histopathologic abnormality. KIDNEY: Sections of the kidney are without histopathologic abnormality. BRAIN: Sections of the brain are without histopathologic abnormality.
 
MassGuy said:
That would have been done by crime scene investigators. Its standard procedure to bag the hands to protect them. They may contain DNA or have other evidentiary value.
Click to expand...
I just want to visualize the position of the hands on the neck.
 
kiwilaura said:
I personally feel that he didn't choose divorce because the option would take too long, and he would be forced to explain to NK that he had lied. How could he still go out 4 - 5 times per week with Shanann home? And I am sure Shanann would have confronted NK too.

He couldn't explain why he wasn't available as much as before, and he just needed an instant option. MOO.

I also wonder if their marriage was reasonably ok up until the point he met NK. And that from that moment, in his giddy state, he no longer had his senses any more. I know I am trying to rationalize the impossible, however I just want him to eventually arrive at the point in his mind where he realizes what a stupid, stupid thing he has done and regrets it.
Click to expand...
That's a good point about SW coming back from NC. CW was no longer going to be able to pretend his divorce was "final." SW's moving forward with a big gender reveal party the next weekend. He's supposed to be divorced and getting a new place. So he probably felt the self-imposed pressure. Instead of just telling SW, "I AM LEAVING YOU AND WE ARE GETTING DIVORCED."

How stupid that this new relationship with his "girlfriend" of about 2 days was the love of his life and he thought it was going to work out happily ever after. (And that she would never question what happened to his missing family.) He was completely in the infatuation stage - new, fun, sex, nice lingerie, no responsibilities, no daily stresses - all the fun of new relationships. (None of this is a knock on the girlfriend.) And you have your wife leaving you homemade meals in the fridge while you get to go to fancy restaurants and plan secluded resort trips with your girlfriend. It's not real life.

Still... plenty of married guys get caught up in affairs and young girlfriends without ever resorting to this kind of violence and criminal behavior. I don't think we will ever get answers we understand.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

DNASolves

Who is Escambia County John Doe (1989)?

Members online

... and 195 more.
Total: 2,194 (members: 196, guests: 1,998)

Online statistics

Members online
196
Guests online
1,998
Total visitors
2,194
Totals may include hidden visitors.

Forum statistics

Threads
599,341
Messages
18,094,781
Members
230,851
Latest member
kendybee
Back
Top