Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My brother was found dead  in his apartment in March. He had been dead for about 4 or 5 days. He was taken to the medical examiners office and after several months of waiting we were told he died of a broken neck and his spinal cord was severed.

I don't have all the details but I know the police investigated and found blood in the hallway. His head  and nose were all bruised and blooded. It appeared he made his way to the sofa and that is where he died.

I guess my question is - if you break your neck and sever your spinal cord, are you then able to make your way to the sofa and lie down.

My entire family is having a lot of trouble with this finding. My brother did suffer from alcoholism but there was no alcohol found in his system. The theory is if he was trying to stop drinking he may have had a seizure.

Can someone have a seizure that would break their neck and still allow them go and lie down and then die?

Appreciate any feedback you can give me,
Annemarie

ANSWER: Hi Annemarie-
It sounds like you've been through an awful situation, or rather are still going through it.  I am sorry about your brother.  What follows is my opinion on your questions-

You don't walk anywhere after SCI- Once your cord is injured, there's no 'ok you get 30 steps from here' or anything, you're pretty much down for the count.  Further, to actually SEVER your cord is not terribly common- usually, though not always, it is the result of a violent act.

My guess is that they don't think the blood in the hallway is from the SCI.  As for there being no alcohol in his system, there is an enzyme in your body- acetaldehyde dehydrogenase- that breaks down alcohol.  Given he was found several days after his death, it might be worth finding out if this enzyme could continue breaking down the alcohol sort of on auto-pilot?

It is hard enough to lose someone, even worse when there is this mystery around it.  If I were you I'd try to get my hands on that police report- it should be available either through Freedom of Information or as a family member, I think.  And then I'd find a forensic pathologist who's willing to answer a few questions.

But that's me, and lord knows I'm way too analytic.  So be careful.  Please write in again if I can help in some way, and in the meantime
good luck

leslie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Leslie for getting back to me so quickly.

I am going look into some of the things you mentioned.

My entire family is having a tough time with this, especially my parents. This was such a shock and we had been waiting for the last 6 months to get an answer and we just don't believe what we are hearing. I hope they just didn't think he was a no one and who cares anyway. He was my big brother and I just can't believe I'll never see him again.

Well, thanks again. I am going to get together with my family and see if we can get further questions answered.

AnnemarieThank you Leslie for getting back to me so quickly.

I am going look into some of the things you mentioned.

My entire family is having a tough time with this, especially my parents. This was such a shock and we had been waiting for the last 6 months to get an answer and we just don't believe what we are hearing. I hope they just didn't think he was a no one and who cares anyway. He was my big brother and I just can't believe I'll never see him again.

Well, thanks again. I am going to get together with my family and see if we can get further questions answered.

Annemarie

Answer
No problem at all, ask anytime- I wish i could do more.

This is going to sound like I've watched too many history channel shows (and yes, I have) but see if you can get to where he'd been that last night.  it's been a while, but if he had problems with alcohol he might have been known at local bars, or by late-night people working where he lived, or something.  But first see about that police report, before I send you out like some bloodhound...

My experience with anyone in legal or medical situations is that you have to really stand on them to be heard.  They're just used to people complaining to them, but you can do it.

i do wish you the best, will be out here if I can help-
leslie