Britt Lapthorne Update: Autopsy Fails To Reveal Cause Of Death
- October 17th, 2008
- Posted by Monique Ross
The official report into Australian backpacker Britt Lapthorne’s death offers no information about how she died, said her father yesterday.
Dale Lapthorne said the report (released 14.10.08) revealed no evidence of foul play and answered no questions about how the 21-year old died.
Mr Lapthorne said the report was almost “childish” in its content, containing little information other than descriptions of the state of her body.
“It is purely descriptive and it says there is no visible sign of how she might have died because the body is in such poor condition,” reported The Australian (16.10.08).
It is understood that the body’s lower jaw is missing and many teeth from the upper jaw are missing. Her collarbone is intact but the body is severely damaged and incomplete.
The Victorian coroner would conduct a new autopsy when he brings his daughter home this week, Mr Lapthorne said.
“I’ve been assured that any investigation carried out by the coroner’s department in Victoria will be a thorough scientific investigation at very high level.
“I came to Dubrovnik to bring Britt home,” said Mr Lapthorne.
“We did not achieve our main objective, which was to bring her home alive, but we have the consolation that we are taking her home.”
Britt Lapthorne’s body was found in the sea off Dubrovnik last Monday, almost three weeks after she went missing, but was not formally identified until two days ago.
Reference
Murray, D. 2008. “Autopsy Sheds No Light On Britt Lapthorne’s Death”, The Australian, Sydney. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au, (17.10.08)