A forensic pathologist revealed in court that the autopsy he conducted on a 12-year-old boy under the care of two women in Burlington, Ontario, was inconclusive in determining the cause of death. Dr. Michael Pickup, the deputy chief forensic pathologist of Ontario, testified during the trial of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, who are facing charges of first-degree murder and other offenses in connection with the boy’s death.
The boy, identified as L.L., was in the process of being adopted by Cooney and Hamber when he passed away in 2022. The trial, presided over by Justice Clayton Conlan in Milton, involves allegations of confinement, assault with a weapon (specifically zip ties), and failure to provide essential care to L.L.’s younger brother, J.L.
During the court proceedings, Pickup detailed the autopsy findings, noting that L.L. did not exhibit significant injuries or anomalies. The examination revealed that L.L. had ingested 11 pills of Venlafaxine, a prescribed medication for conditions like depression and anxiety. Although the drug concentration in L.L.’s system was above therapeutic levels, it was not deemed lethal.
Given L.L.’s emaciated state, malnutrition was highlighted as a probable factor in his death. Despite the severe malnourishment observed, Pickup emphasized that malnutrition alone could not be definitively linked to the boy’s passing due to challenges in measuring key blood electrolytes after his heart stopped.
Hypothermia was also raised as a potential cause of death, with Pickup acknowledging the possibility in response to a hypothetical scenario posed by the prosecution. The court heard that first responders found L.L. wet and in a wetsuit in a basement room, hinting at circumstances that could have led to hypothermia.
In further discussions, Pickup addressed queries about hypothermia indicators and the presence of liquid around L.L.’s body. The defense sought clarifications on the wet conditions and speculated on possible explanations, such as immersion in water, but definitive conclusions remained elusive.
As the trial continues, the nuanced medical findings and contextual details surrounding L.L.’s tragic demise are central to the ongoing legal proceedings.