Police await further analysis after autopsy finds UWI student died from asphyxia

The police are awaiting further analysis of evidence in the death of University Of the West Indies, Mona, student Victoria Hanley-Brown following an autopsy on Wednesday which said the primary cause of death was asphyxia or suffocation.

Hanley-Brown, 20, was found dead at the George Alleyne Hall on October 16.

The conclusion by a government pathologist was that Hanley-Brown died from asphyxia, a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death.

The Gleaner understands, further, that the examination unearthed a “manoeuvre on the neck under unknown circumstances”.

A senior police officer told The Gleaner the police made further enquiries of the pathologist regarding the "manoeuvre on the neck" and a report is expected soon.

Hanley-Brown’s death was first classified as a suspected suicide.

Her body was discovered October 16 around 7 a.m. in her room on Block 17 of the hall of residence.

She was reportedly last seen alive around 1 a.m.

A friend is believed to have found the body and raised an alarm.

The police had said from the outset, they would be examining closed-circuit television footage as part of their investigation.

The St Andrew Central (CIB) is probing the incident.

- Andre Williams

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