PATRICIA HENSON

19-0245

AUTOPSY REPORT

PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA

TUCSON POLICE DEPARTMENT

AGENCY CASE # 1901240040

JANUARY 25, 2019

Page 1
19-0245

PATRICIA HENSON

Page 2

PATHOLOGIC DIAGNOSES:

1. Multiple injuries
a. Abrasions, lacerations, contusions and puncture wounds
b. Absence of soft tissues, skeletal elements and teeth
c. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
d. Absence of portions of left brain
e. Intramuscular hemorrhages
f. Cardiac and pulmonary contusions
g. Liver hematoma and laceration
h. Bilateral hemothoraces and hemoperitoneum

OPINION:

In consideration of the known circumstances surrounding this death, the available medical
history and the examination of the body, the cause of death for Patricia Henson is ascribed to
multiple injuries.

The manner of death is undetermined.

Digitally signed by David C. Winston, MD, PhD Forensic Pathologist

Date: 2019.03.12 11:19:30 -07'00'
19-0245

PATRICIA HENSON

Page 3

IDENTIFICATION:

The body of Patricia Henson is identified via Tucson Police Department investigation.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH:

According to investigative reports, Patricia Henson was found on the floor of a residence with
visible trauma reportedly due to a dog.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AUTOPSY:

The postmortem examination of Patricia Henson is performed at the Pima County Office of the
Medical Examiner, 2825 E. District Street, Tucson, Arizona commencing at 8:30 AM on January
25, 2019. Assisting in the examination are Kayla Hare, Kerry Calvert, Jeremy Cox, and Lindsay
Hershberger. Attending the examination from Tucson Police Department are Detectives Deloria
and Thrall and Crime Scene Technician Orchard. Attending the examination from the Pima
County Attorney's Office are Attorneys Otto and Daranyi. Attending the examination from the
Office of Child Welfare Investigation are Mr. Martinez, Ms. Thomason and Ms. Diaz.

GENERAL INSPECTION:

The unembalmed body is received in a sealed white plastic body bag with the decedent's name
written on the outside.

CLOTHING AND PERSONAL EFFECTS:

1. A black shirt
2. Denim pants
3. Two white socks
4. Disposable diaper

EVIDENCE OF MEDICAL THERAPY:

None.

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:

The body is that of an 8-month-old, pale-complexioned infant female who weighs 18 pounds.
The crown-heel length is 71 cm. The crown-rump length is 49 cm. The chest circumference is
42.5 cm and the abdominal circumference is 41.5 cm. The left foot length is 10.5 cm. The body
is cool to touch. Rigor mortis is partial. Faint purple livor mortis is present on both anterior and
19-0245

PATRICIA HENSON

Page 4

posterior aspects of the body except in areas exposed to pressure. The scalp hair is brown. The
irides appear to be brown. The sclerae and conjunctivae are unremarkable. The corneas are
transparent. The nose and lips are unremarkable. The teeth are natural. The thorax is
symmetrical with normal anteroposterior/lateral ratio. The breasts are those of a prepubescent
female. The abdomen is slightly protuberant. The genitalia are those of a normal prepubescent
female. The back and anus are unremarkable. The upper and lower extremities are well
developed and symmetrical without absence of digits.

IDENTIFYING SCARS, MARKS, TATTOOS:

None readily visible.

EVIDENCE OF RECENT INJURY:

Head and Neck:

The head is misshapen with absence and collapse of the left side of the head. On the left frontal
and parietal scalp is a 3 inch laceration revealing the skull, dura mater and brain. A complex
gaping, laceration extends from the left forehead to the left jawline revealing skeletal elements
and soft tissues. Adjacent to the left ear are lacerations up to 1-1/4 inch in length.
Approximately 1/8 inch of the left upper ear is absent. The majority of the skin of the left side of
the face has a confluent red contusion. On the central and right forehead are up to 1-1/2 inch red
contusions. Both right eyelids have red contusions. On the right cheek are up to 3/8 inch
puncture wounds and up to 1 inch lacerations with associated red contusions. On the right
frontal and parietal scalp are up to 2 inch linear red contusions with areas of abrasion. On the
right temporal scalp near the right ear is a 1 x 3/4 inch red contusion. On the neck and posterior
scalp are up to 3/8 inch puncture wounds and round to ovoid abrasions up to 3/8 inch in diameter
with associated faint red contusions. Absent tissues include the left nose; skin, skeletal elements
and soft tissues of the left side of the face and teeth. The tongue has puncture wounds. Skeletal
elements are absent from the left side of the skull. The dura mater overlying the left side of the
brain is lacerated. Examination of the brain reveals focal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The
majority of the left frontal lobe of brain and portions of the left temporal and parietal lobes of
brain are absent. Within the right neck is hemorrhagic musculature with no injuries of the major
vascular structures of the neck. A separate plastic bag contains the intact left eye and skeletal
fragments.

Thorax and Abdomen:

Across the chest and upper abdomen are multiple round to ovoid abrasions up to 1-5/8 inch in
diameter with red contusions surrounding these abrasions. On the lateral right abdomen and
flank are round to ovoid abrasions up to 3/8 inch in diameter and faint red contusions up to 3/4
inch in diameter. Along the right inguinal area are linear abrasions up to 1-3/4 in length. On the
left inguinal area are abrasions up to 3/4 inch. Across the abdomen are faint red contusions up to
19-0245

PATRICIA HENSON

Page 5

1/2 inch. On the left lower quadrant of the abdomen is a 2 inch ovoid abrasion. On the left
flank, left back and right upper back are round to ovoid abrasions up to 1-1/4 inch in diameter.
On the right lower back and buttock are round to ovoid abrasions up to 3/8 inch in diameter.
There are focal hemorrhages within the musculature of the anterior chest. Intercostal muscle
hemorrhage is present; however, no rib fractures are identified. The lateral right and the lateral
left ventricles of the heart have epicardial and intramuscular hemorrhages. Pulmonary
contusions are present, more prominent at the lateral aspects of both lungs. There is a scant
amount of blood in the right chest cavity and approximately 10 ml of blood is within the left
chest cavity. The posterior left lobe of the liver has a 2.5 cm laceration and the hepatic
parenchyma deep to this laceration is pulpified. The superior left lobe of the liver has a 5 ml
subcapsular hematoma. Within the abdominal cavity is approximately 100 ml of blood.

Extremities:
On the left upper arm are round to ovoid abrasions up to 3/8 inch in diameter with associated
faint red contusions. On the anterior right thigh are round to ovoid abrasions up to 3/8 inch in
diameter and faint red purple contusions up to 1/2 inch in diameter.

These above described injuries will not be mentioned in the remainder of this report.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION:

Body Cavities:
All body organs are present in normal and anatomical position.

Central Nervous System:

The brain weighs 760 grams. The dura mater and falx cerebri are intact. The leptomeninges are
thin and delicate. The cerebral hemispheres are asymmetrical due to previously described
trauma. The structures at the base of the brain including the cranial nerves and blood vessels are
intact. Sections through the cerebral hemispheres reveal no lesions within the cortex, subcortical
white matter or deep parenchyma. The basal ganglia, thalami and Ammon's horn are
unremarkable. The cerebral ventricles are of normal caliber. Sections of the brain stem and
cerebellum are unremarkable. The spinal cord is not examined.

Neck:
Examination of the soft tissues of the neck, including strap muscles and large vessels reveals no
abnormalities. The hyoid bone and larynx are intact. The lingual mucosa is intact and the
lingual musculature is without hemorrhage.

Cardiovascular System:
The heart weighs 37 grams. The pericardial surfaces are smooth, glistening and unremarkable.
The pericardial sac contains scant amount of a hemorrhagic fluid. The coronary arteries arise
19-0245

PATRICIA HENSON

Page 6

normally with a right dominant pattern; follow the usual distribution and are without significant
atherosclerosis. The chambers and valves have the usual size-position relationship and are
unremarkable. The myocardium is dark red-brown, firm and unremarkable. The atrial and
ventricular septa are intact. The aorta and its major branches arise normally, follow the usual
course and are without significant atherosclerosis. The vena cava and its major tributaries return
to the heart in the usual distribution.

Respiratory System:
The right lung weighs 46 grams and the left lung weighs 52 grams. The upper airway is clear of
debris and foreign material. The mucosal surfaces are smooth, yellow-tan and unremarkable.
Lobar divisions are of the usual configuration. The pulmonary parenchyma is dark, red-purple,
exuding slight to moderate amounts of blood and frothy fluid with no focal lesions noted. The
pulmonary arteries are normally developed, patent and without thrombus or embolus.

Liver and Biliary System:

The liver weighs 260 grams. The hepatic capsule is smooth, glistening and intact, covering red-
brown parenchyma with no focal lesions noted. The gallbladder contains scant amount of
viscous green bile and the mucosa is velvety and unremarkable.

Alimentary Tract:
The esophagus is lined by a gray-white smooth mucosa. The gastric mucosa is arranged with the
usual rugal folds and the gastric lumen contains approximately 30 ml of a viscous white curdled
material with no readily identifiable food or pill fragments. The small and large intestines are
unremarkable. The appendix is present. The pancreas has a normal gray-white lobulated
appearance and the ducts are clear.

Genitourinary Tract:
The right kidney weighs 22 grams and the left kidney weighs 21 grams. The renal capsules are
thin and semi-transparent and strip with ease from the underlying smooth, red-brown firm
cortical surfaces. The cortices are sharply delineated from the medullary pyramids which are
red-purple to tan and unremarkable. The calyces, pelves and ureters are unremarkable. The
urinary bladder contains scant amount of cloudy yellow urine; the mucosa is gray-tan and
smooth. The uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and vagina are unremarkable.

Reticuloendothelial System:
The spleen weighs 23 grams. The spleen has a smooth, intact capsule covering red-purple,
moderately firm parenchyma. The lymphoid follicles are unremarkable. The regional lymph
nodes appear normal. The bone marrow is red-purple and homogenous without evidence of
focal abnormality. The thymus weighs 23 grams. The thymic parenchyma is tan and
unremarkable.
19-0245

PATRICIA HENSON

Page 7

Endocrine System:
The pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands are unremarkable. The adrenal glands weigh 2 grams
combined.

Musculoskeletal System:
The bony framework, supporting musculature and soft tissues are not unusual.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION

Slide 1: Left lung, kidneys, trachea

Slide 2: Heart
Slide 3: Right lung, liver
Slide 4: Thyroid gland, adrenal gland, thymus, lymph node, spleen
Slide 5: Stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas

Heart: acute parenchymal hemorrhage

Lungs: foci of acute alveolar and interstitial hemorrhage

Liver: foci of acute parenchymal hemorrhage

Trachea, kidneys, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, thymus, lymph node, spleen, stomach, small
intestine large intestine, pancreas: no histopathologic abnormalities

TOXICOLOGY

(SEE ATTACHED REPORT)

GASTRIC CONTENTS OF DOG

Prior to the autopsy, Detective Orozco delivered three plastic containers that contained gastric
contents of the dog. Examination of these contents revealed human infant teeth and skeletal
fragments.