Why establish the causes of death could take time

Analyzes on Agathe’s body, found dead in an undergrowth around Vivonne this Monday, is much more complex to study. In question: the body seems to have spent several days outside, which could impact the reliability of the indices on the circumstances of its death.

Murder? Accident or suicide? Difficult this Monday, May 5, to explain the causes of the death of Agathe Hilairet, whose body was found, in an undergrowth around Vivonne (Vienne), near the area where the latter used to make trail.

A few hours after this discovery, all the hypotheses remain open. “The autopsy carried out to date has not made it possible to determine, at this stage, the causes of the death,” said prosecutor Cyril Lacombe in a press release.

“Several analyzes are underway,” he added.

Invited on the BFMTV set, Jean-Charles Fombonne, former commander of the Orléans research section ensures that all the tracks are still being studied. “The only track that could be dismissed was that of a death by firearm”, claiming, however, that “given the corpulence of the victim, the ball could have crossed the body, without a trace”.

“The more the body breaks down, the less elements”

Another difficulty: the duration of the research during which the body potentially remained exposed to nature effects for a long time. A period deemed very long by specialists, it could strongly degrade the analyzes leading to determining the causes of death.

“A three-week body no longer allows you to have an observation (…) unless there are significant injuries,” explains Jean-Charles Fombonne.

Note that the body was found outside by a walker, which does not facilitate the work of the investigators. “The more the body breaks down, the less elements,” said Perrine Rogiez-Thubert, police commander specializing in judicial identity.

And even in the event of an analysis coming from several medical experts, the error can be present. “It is not uncommon to have an autopsy where one cannot define the cause of death, this is called a ‘diagnostic of exclusion’,” explains the specialist. He also underlines the possibility of not detecting a ballistic element on the body, due to the thinness of Agathe.

If the criminal track is not excluded, that of the suicide which has also remained open, as indicated by François Daoust, former director of the judicial center of the gendarmerie. Indeed: if Agathe was found outside the Ratage zone, the former director evokes an ideal place in a calm corner to put an end to his life, but also for “the desire not to be seen dead, to be in a place to give himself a last moment of reflection”, advances the latter.

Another tangible cause, that of a natural and accidental death. Questioned by BFMTV, a specialist in criminal identification tells BFMTV that heart stops may not be seen in the autopsy, especially in a weakened young person. A carefully studied track due to the state of health of the jogger? It suffered from anorexia and weighed only 35kg for 1.65 meters.

Answers in several days “or even weeks”

While waiting to learn more about the cause of his death, several analyzes are underway or will take place in the coming hours. The whole body will be combed: study of cells, tissues, organs or even potentially toxic substances in Agathe’s body.

Can we be sure to one day know the cause of the death of Agathe? Yes and no, estimates François Daoust, who still evokes the many areas to be studied on the spot, such as access paths, the victim’s phone or his clothes.

Bernard Marc, a medical examiner, says to BFMTV that the responses and circumstances of this death will probably be revealed in several days, “even weeks”.