Cause of death of Neisa Pipersburgh inconclusive
Fernando cuellar
The advanced state of decomposition in which the body of nineteen-year-old Neisa Pipersburgh was found made it difficult for forensic pathologist Dr. Mario Estradabran to conclusively determine the cause of her death. Despite reports that signs of foul play were visible on the corpse, Estradabran was unable to say whether the former student was stabbed, shot or strangled. As a matter of fact investigators cannot ascertain whether Pipersburgh was killed elsewhere and then dumped in the Faber’s Lagoon or if she was killed on location. Interestingly, it is speculated that she may have been murdered within a twenty-four hour period following her disappearance. Chronologically, it presents a forty-eight to seventy-four hour window before the body was discovered at Barton Creek on the Western Highway. The inclusiveness of the autopsy report, however, has raised concerns from the public, the medical community and could determine the outcome of a case if anyone is charged with her murder. This morning News Five spoke with Dr. Fernando Cuellar who weighed in his opinion on the matter.
Dr. Fernando Cuellar, Internalist/Intensivist
“It’s no surprise unfortunately that these results sometimes do come back as inconclusive generally because of the lack of resources we have in Belize. We don’t have a full forensic science department as such to investigate these issues properly. It’s not a one man show so you would hear many times on the television perhaps Dr. Estradabran or Dr. Sanchez giving reports. But I know that indeed these people work in a situation where there is a severe lack of resources; both human, technology and other types of—of course financial—where they don’t have all the necessary resources that they need to come to proper outcomes. The rate of decomposition of a body depends on different factors. It depends on temperature, the humidity, the location, what type of chemicals were put on the body for example, in what type of material it was found. So there are a lot of different factors but again I would go out on a limb to say that basically the inconclusiveness is because of lack of resources. We don’t have the necessary tools to make definitive conclusions when it comes to these issues.”
Isani Cayetano
“Have there been, to your knowledge, other instances where you may have a body that’s a week or so old and there have been instances where they were able to determine the cause of death?”
Dr. Fernando Cuellar
“Absolutely! Absolutely! Causes of death have been found to be time frames as long as years after, decades after once the proper resources are used to determine causes of death so just hours or days definitely does not make it impossible for causes of death to be found.”
On the day she was found murdered, Pipersburgh would have attended her prom; but instead her life was celebrated by her peers, family and teachers.
It is time for the government to start investing some money into solving these cases.
Firstly there should be more money allocated for advanced technology and perhaps hiring more qualified forensics even if its from another country.
Secondly, there should be a scholarship fund established for Belizeans to go abroad and study forensics with a contract to return to the country and work in the field. That is the only way we are going to start solving these murders and start get the criminals convicted and off the streets so they can do no more harm.
Come on, what if your child is next?
Why is it that we just sit back and accept poor investigative techniques, and weak autopsy findings such as “inconclusive due to advance state of decomposition”? That girl was alive and breathing just 72 hrs before her body was found. So many unsolved mysteries because of poor and ill-equipped forensics. Dr. Estradabran’s workplace has to be better equipped and brought up to at least the 20th century because we have a crime situation in this country and Forensic pathologists play a vital role in crime solving. What a shame to be hearing in 2010, that an autopsy report was inconclusive due to the advanced state of decomposition after 72 hrs. We should demand more, we deserve better.
Justice will not be denied either way.
Why is it that every time suggestions are made to update the resources of any public institution (Health, Education, Or Criminal Justice) we always talk about “financial restraints” or “cash – strapped”. Are we the only ones who need to tighten our belts ‘til we suffocate? Our Ministers and their cronies are still driving “ gas-drinking, government-issued SUVs” outside normal working hours. They are seen at public and private functions such as clubs, weddings, free zone and Chetumal in these vehicles. They rack up very large utility bills and are in no mood to curtail. GOB officials and family members, travel first class all over the world at taxpayers’ expense.
If our so called cash-strapped government want to keep insisting that the placing of street cameras around the city is not cost effective, or updating the Forensic and Police Departments is too expensive, then we will never invest in these worthwhile resources.
If GOB continue to act like providing our people with the safe environment we so deserve and long for is too costly, then try living in a crime ridden society evaded by tourists, Belizeans living abroad, and WELL EDUCATYED, LAW ABIDING, TAXPAYERS, who may end up migrating, in search of a better life for their families
Because government is using all the money to put in their pockets… that’s why!!!
We are the worst country ever who will never develop.
You’d be surprised to know how many physical resources (donated and purchased) are just sitting in boxes or stashed in closets and corners because no one knows how to use them.
Only when “First Belizeans” start being murdered and found in Lagoons will this, or any other government do anything about it. Until then we will just have to live in fear!
We are ending up like Honduras, where the wealthy rarely come out from behind thier personal Forts, unless escorted by armed security guards, while the rest of the peasants die like dogs on the streets..