PINELLAS PARK, Florida — Bob and Mary Schindler were denied their request that an independent coroner and noted forensic pathologist be present at the autopsy of their daughter, Terri Schiavo. The results of the autopsy — carried out by Medical Examiner Dr. Jon Thogmartin — will not be available for several weeks. Terri's body was cremated Monday.
Terri Schiavo died Thursday morning after 13 days of starvation and dehydration subsequent to a stop-feeding order from her husband Michael and Pinellas County probate judge George Greer.
The decision to prohibit Allegheny County, PA, coroner and pathologist Dr. Cyril H. Wecht from observing the autopsy was released by Dr. Thogmartin's office. The release of autopsy results is being coordinated by former Pinellas County Sheriff Everett Rice. Michael Schiavo is a jail nurse employed by the sheriff's department, according to an Empire Journal report.
The Medical Examiner's release explained that a cause of death must be ascertained regardless of whether a family requests one or not. Michael Schiavo and his attorney George Felos had claimed that the autopsy was being conducted at their request. The autopsy findings will include a neuropathologist's examination and x-ray results.
Terri Schindler's family arranged a funeral Mass to remember their daughter and sister on Tuesday, April 5.
See also:
Autopsy Completed, Noted Pathologist Denied
(This update courtesy of LifeSiteNews.com.)
