The following is an excerpt of the autopsy report for Anthony Phelps. Additional information contained in the report was unremarkable and not deemed relevant to the case.

 

OFFICE OF THE CORONER OF TANGIPAHOA COUNTY
 
POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION REPORT
 
NAME: Phelps, Anthony DATE RECEIVED: Saturday, Sept. 27, at 
2 p.m.
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
 
A 21 year old, white male reportedly fled from a sheriff's 
transport van that was involved in an accident. The decedent 
apparently sustained injuries in that accident and succumbed 
to these injuries approximately one week later.
 
The decedent is received in a black disaster bag, clothed in 
blue jeans, an orange football-type jersey, no shoes and 
lying supine. A contact lens case, empty, is found in the 
front, right pocket of the jeans.
 
A duffel bag is submitted with the body which contains a 
light blue, short sleeved shirt with the insignia of the 
Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department, three pairs of 
men's jockey underwear, 5 pairs of white crew socks, a pair 
of size 10 black, mens ankle boots, and two pairs of 
"Levi's" jeans. A Yoknapatawpha County Library lending card 
bearing the signature of M. Lamar is also in the duffel bag.
 
GENERAL DESCRIPTORS
 
Rigor mortis is generalized and full. Fixed, pink-purple 
Livor Mortis is appreciated to the posterior side of the 
body and is appropriate to the body's position. The corneas 
are markedly opaque. The body is cool to the touch.
 
This is the body of a well-nourished, well-developed white 
male who measures 71" in length, weighs 190 pounds and 
appears compatible with the stated age of 21 years.
 
The scalp hair is brown, straight and greater than 7cm in 
length over the crown. The irides are dark brown, the pupils 
are asymmetrical with the left measuring 0.8cm and the right 
measuring 0.5cm. The conjunctivae are modestly congested and 
exhibit fine petechial hemorrhages: the sclerae are 
unremarkable. The mucous membranes are dry and pale. The 
oral cavity is stained with a red-brown discoloration. The 
abdomen is slightly protruberant, tympanitic, and free of 
masses.
 
The upper and lower extremities are well-formed, and 
symmetrical. The fingernails are 0.2 to 0.3 cm distal to the 
fingernail bed and are encrusted with black, greasy dirt. 
Red-brown, easily removed stains are observed covering the 
hands.
 
EVIDENCE OF INJURY
 
*Blunt-force injuries of the head:*
 
The scalp is reflected revealing scalp contusions with 
associated subgaleal hemorrhage over the left occipital 
region. The calvarium and basilar skull are free of 
fractures. A thin, sub-acute subdural hematoma encompasses 
the left temporal lobe with associated flattening of the 
sulci noted. Microscope inspection shows the hematoma is 
organized and exhibits signs early liquefaction. The brain 
is moderately swollen. The spinal cord is intact.
 
A layer by layer dissection of the neck is performed. The 
cervical spine,larynx and hyoid bone are intact.
 
*Blunt-force injuries of the torso:*
 
The left pectoral region exhibits a 15.0 x 10..5 cm 
patterned, purple healing contusion. The pattern is oval to 
rectangular in shape with an area of sparing measuring 12.0 
x 8.0 cm noted below this injury and a subsequent patterned 
injury below the first measuring 20.5 x 10.5 cm; this injury 
appears to fade toward the bottom.
 
Diffuse hemorrhage, red-brown in nature permeates the left 
costal soft tissues. A contusion over ribs #4 through #11 is 
identified. The superior mediastinal soft tissues exhibit a 
large hematoma. The left chest cavity contains 2.5 liters of 
clotted blood. The thoracic aorta displays a contusion at 
the origin of the left subclavian artery measuring 3.0 x 4.5 
cm with an area of pseudo-aneurysm formation. The more 
distal portion of the pseudo-aneurysm demonstrates evidence 
of surrounding hematoma lysis.
 
EVIDENCE OF THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION
 
None.
 
SUMMARY OF AUTOPSY FINDINGS
 
I. Blunt-force injuries: Head; a. Scalp contusion with 
associated subgaleal contusion. b. Left temporal subdural 
hematoma in early stages of breakdown.
 
Torso; a. Multiple chest wall contusions of the left side. 
b. Laceration of the thoracic aorta. c. Hemothorax of the 
left chest cavity 2500 cc's.
 
The findings are indicative of an acceleration-deceleration 
type injury. The injuries sustained at the time of the motor 
vehicle accident required medical intervention. Without such 
intervention. post-traumatic thrombolysis of the aortic 
laceration tampanode resulted in fatal exsanguination.
 
TIME OF DEATH
 
From 10 p.m. on Friday, 09/26 to 12 a.m. Saturday, 09/27.
 
CAUSE OF DEATH
 
Exsanguination due to injury to the thoracic aorta due to 
motor vehicle accident.
 
MANNER OF DEATH
 
Motor vehicle accident.