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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
August
8, 2006
Contact:
Greg Sandstrom
Phone: (360) 337-7077
No. 06-62
Coroner's Office Revisits Determination of Death in Shannon Case
PORT
ORCHARD, WA—The
Kitsap County Coroner’s Office issued a statement today regarding its
investigation into the death of Kristina Shannon. Shannon, a 29-year-old
resident at Frances Haddon Morgan Center in Bremerton, died at Harrison
Hospital on
July 2,
2005.
The office investigated the death, while the autopsy was performed by
Forensic Pathologist Dr. Emmanuel Q. Lacsina.
Based
on initial toxicology reports and no other indicators as to the cause of
death, Dr. Lacsina concluded the death should be ruled as acute drug
intoxication due to chlorpheniramine. In May 2006, the Coroner’s Office
issued a statement concurring with Dr. Lacsina’s findings. However, after a
more exhaustive investigation that included obtaining the opinions of many
highly recognized experts in the field of medicine, the Coroner’s office has
changed the cause of death from drug intoxication to undetermined.
“We
have always kept an open mind in investigating this or any other case,” said
Greg Sandstrom, Coroner. “The original determination was based on the best
information available to us at the time. However, as subsequent information
has become available, we feel it is our obligation to revisit our
determination of death and make appropriate changes to the cause of death
based on what we now know.”
In
investigating deaths, the Coroner’s Office determines both the cause and
manner of death when evidence presents itself. If additional information is
obtained that contradicts the initial findings, the office will consider
changing either the cause or manner of death ruling.
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