Teen found dead in apartment died from “compression injuries to neck” – autopsy

A post-mortem performed on the body of Malinda Niewenkirk, who was found dead in her Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD) apartment, confirmed that she died as a result of ‘compression injuries to neck’.
The 19-year-old was found on Thursday – one day after she broke up with her ex-boyfriend. Police stated that she had threatened to end her life if he didn’t reconcile the relationship.
However, the two communicated for some time and the man told investigators he tried to comfort and encourage her not to do that. The teen, however, stopped responding to him.
The man further told the Police that he became suspicious and as such, went to make a report at the Vigilance Police Station. The Police subsequently went to the house, where they made the discovery.

Nevertheless, following the autopsy performed by the state’s pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, the dead teen’s relatives are reportedly contemplating a private autopsy, holding out that she was killed.
Meanwhile, Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Geeta Chandan-Edmond in a release stated that there is no scientific information available that could contradict those results.
“However, considering the current wanton lack of trust in the Guyana Police Force and the circumstantial evidence which is in the public domain, the nation would be well served if there is the release of the PME Report and the commencement of a Coroners Inquest as provided for in the Coroners Act,” she added.
The Inquest, she stated, should be conducted by the District Magistrate as coroner while adding that an Inquest would inform not only the circumstances immediately prior to, during, and immediately after the death but will also inform whether or not a crime was committed to be prosecuted upon.
This can restore some semblance of credibility in the Guyana Police Force which is currently experiencing its worst credibility crisis, she noted.