A young couple hiking in a wilderness area discovered the body of a man apparently in his 20s. He appeared to have been dead a few days, but animal predation was minimal. A postmortem examination was performed by the county medical examiner, and no evidence of penetrating wounds (bullet, lacerations, etc.) was found. A plain radiograph showed a fractured hyoid bone, but the calvaria and other bones appeared to be intact. Which of the following is the most likely cause of death?
A fractured hyoid bone is evidence of strangulation. A fall from a height and subdural hematoma would likely be accompanied by fractured bones. Whereas myocardial infarction or poison remain possibilities, the medical examiner would have a high index of suspicion for strangulation because of the fractured hyoid bone.
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
A fall from a height that resulted in fatal in ternal bleeding
Subdural hematoma
Strangulation
Head & Neck