An autopsy report on a brain-damaged woman at the centre of a long legal battle in the US has shown that she suffered no trauma before her collapse.
Terri Schiavo's parents had accused her husband of abusing her before the collapse in 1990, but Michael Schiavo denied the claim.
The report also confirmed Mr Schiavo's assertion that she was in a persistent vegetative state.
Schiavo died in March, nearly two weeks after her feeding tube was removed.
Death by dehydration
The report was made public by Florida's medical examiner's office.
Examiner John Throgmartin said there was no evidence of trauma or strangulation prior to Schiavo's collapse.
The autopsy also could not prove that she was suffering from an eating disorder at the time - her diminished potassium levels at the time could have been affected by emergency treatment.
The 41-year-old was found not to have suffered a heart attack or been administered harmful drugs or other substances before her death. She died of dehydration.
The report also said her brain was only half its normal size at her death.
She was incapable of surviving without her feeding tube, Mr Throgmartin said, adding that she was blind and incapable of thinking, feeling or interacting with her environment.
Her husband fought for several years to have her feeding tube removed, saying it was what she would have wanted. Her parents led the campaign to keep their daughter alive.
Mr Schiavo had requested the procedure to show the extent of brain injuries sustained 15 years ago.
Well, guess what...all those doctors and stuff...they were actually 100% right! I think this report settles the matter...or not...her parents disagree.
Why cant they leave the poor man alone?
From the number of articles attacking him youd think that he killed her, rather than putting her out of her misery as a mindless vegetable.
Photography Genius is always allowed some leeway, once the hammer has been pried from its hands and the blood has been cleaned up.
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.
Well, yes, that is the point of Schiavo's parents, the Schindlers, Jeb Bush, and the conservatives beating this dead horse - that Mr. Schiavo either some caused her collapse, or delayed in summoning medical help, and is thus responsible for her extensive brain damage which was used to justify killing her.
In other words, yes, there are people out there who this Michael Schiavo is a cold-blooded murderer.
Terri's batshit crazy parents have spent a small fortune, i'd imagine, trying to make Michael Shiavo look like a psychotic killer. In reality he did everything that could be done, IIRC he even allowed them to do some experimental operation or 'shunt' or something to try and help but it didnt work.
At least now it's spelled out in black and white, 'no trauma or strangulation prior to collapse' so the next time some tinhat conspiracy theorist comes out with some shit about how she was abused and shit he can throw that in their face.
Oh but here i am being overly optimistic...like this doctor's report will have any effect of them specifically when the mountains of other similar reports didnt.
Remember that the Schindlers toe the Catholic party line - all human life is precious, no matter how debased or degraded. I don't agree with their stance, but I'l give them a small slice of credit for being consistent. Their argument that no mattter how brain damaged their daughter was, her life should have been sustained. To which I say fine - YOU take care of her, and YOU pay for her care. I even think they would have been willing to do that. The other factor that impells me to cut them a little slack is that it is agonizing for a parent to see a child injured or dying and it tends to fuck up their ability to reason. They can't be objective, they're her parents.
What pisses me off the most are the bottom-feeders seeking to profit off this tragedy - the granstanding policians in particular. THOSE scum don't deserve to hold office.
