The full autopsy report has been released in the Carol Daniels’ murder. The full report shows that the attack of Reverend Daniels was much more vicious than original thought. It also shows, through the numerous incisions to both hands, that Ms. Daniels fought for her life. It should be pointed out that this complete autopsy report was finished by Dr. Chai S. Choi, who has replaced Dr. Collie Trant, the Medical Examiner at the time of Daniels’ murder. Dr. Choi completed this autopsy based solely on the notes (and photographs if any were taken, but I have not found any reference to such) taken by Dr. Trant. Because of this, there are some instances of odd, ambiguous language in the report. As an example, at the beginning of the external description of the body, Dr. Choi refers to “singed hair to the scalp” and has to follow up with “likely on top of the head”, since apparently the notes were not clear enough for a definitive statement to be made.
Carol Daniels was almost decapitated from the numerous cuts to both the front and the right back portion of her neck. Her trachea and thyroid gland were cut during the attack. In total the report lists 22 cuts to the front and sides of her neck and 4 to 5 cuts on the back of her neck. One of the back incisions run enough to also have cut the earlobe on her left ear.
The incisions to her chest are described as “vertical and diagonal complex incised wounds” with the majority being in the left breast area. There are 8 vertical incisions and 4 diagonal incisions in that specific area. There are then 5 “cuts and superficial cuts” along with what is described as “serrated linear abrasion” in the right upper chest area. There is a horizontal cut to the right shoulder blade area of her back. There is a vertical cut at the top left of her abdomen near the bottom of the rib cage and then five superficial cuts in that area as well as the lower abdomen.
Ms. Daniels’ left hand had 5 to 6 cuts on the palm side, and her right hand had 6, showing she fought desperately for her life.
Things I notice from this report:
The attack appears to have been a “blitz” style attack. I speculate that the attack began from the back – possibly catching Ms. Daniels totally unaware. The knife attack is from both directions from the evidence that Ms. Daniels (for both her back neck wounds and front neck wounds) exhibit cuts that began right to left and cuts that began left to right. It appears the killer is right-handed, with the majority of the wounds on the attacker’s left side being less severe or superficial.
Ms. Daniels’ was wearing a ring on the ring finger of her right hand. The ring was not taken. Curiously, the ring was turned to where the stones were facing toward her palm. This may have happened during the attack and her struggle.
We learned shortly after the murder about Ms. Daniels’ hair being burned down to the scalp. But to re-read the description here brings back the disturbing nature of this murder.
One of the more curious observations in the report was that “There is a suggestive blood stain over the bottom of the left foot (sole).” I’ve ruminated on this a bit (would love to know what the “suggestive” term means to the writer) and have come up with three scenarios. Keeping in mind that Ms. Daniels’ body was found completely nude, and none of her clothes located the following scenarios are what I have come up with:
1. The report states there was dripping blood from Ms. Daniels’ left forearm and wounded hand. I suppose the blood could have dripped down into her shoe causing her to get blood on the sole of her foot prior to her clothes being removed.
2. Depending on the type of shoes Ms. Daniels was wearing she could have lost a shoe during the struggle and stepped in her own blood on the floor.
3. The attacker could have forced Ms. Daniels to disrobe PRIOR TO the attack.
One aspect of this autopsy that just floors mention of whether there is evidence of a sexual assault, nor is there mention of steps being taken to test for the presence of sperm.
Ms. Daniels was mutilated. This was not merely an attack to the intention of killing someone. This crime involved extreme violence that far exceeds what was needed simply to murder Carol. I count at least 61 to 63 incisions of varying severity. Add to this the burning of her hair, the removal of her clothes (were her clothes taken as a trophy?), and the alleged staging or posing of her body, and this murder takes on frightening dimensions. The autopsy report does nothing but leave me more concerned over the fact there is a psychotic, violent killer still on the loose. And I do believe this person will strike again.
Valhall.
Related posts:
- Carol Daniels: When Murder becomes Mystery
- Carol Daniels’ Family and DA Burns criticize handling of Case
- OSBI nows states they have leads in Carol Daniels’ Murder
- Zahra Baker Case: Elisa indicted, Autopsy released, Adam feels vindicated
- Leiby Kletzky case: Autopsy findings released, 8-count indictment handed down
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