Henry boys died from haemorrhage and shock, spines severed – PME finds

A Post Mortem Examination (PME) conducted on the mutilated bodies of teen cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry has found that they both died from haemorrhage and shock due to multiple incised injuries.

The PME was conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh Wednesday morning at the Memorial Gardens, Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown.

The News Room understands that in the interest of transparency, the entire PME was video recorded and was witnessed by family members of the murdered boys, investigating ranks and Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.

Speaking to the media after the PME was completed, Hughes said that in the case of 18-year-old Joel, he received 18 wounds.

“What we suspect was the fatal wound severed his spine from the back. He had about seven or eight chops to his head and the Pathologist suspected that after he got those wounds he fell to the ground and while on the ground the wound that severed his spine was inflicted,” the Attorney told reporters outside Memorial Gardens.

Hughes said there is also evidence that Joel bit his tongue and there were several defensive wounds on his hands.

“It was pretty nasty… the wound that actually severed the spine was 14 inches long, three inches wide and six inches deep.”

Hughes said in the case of 16-year-old Isaiah, he did not have defensive wounds on his hands but received several chops to his head.

“Very deep chops and in his case his spine was severed and the measurement of his wound were 14 inches long by four inches wide and six inches deep. Both of these young men had their spines severed,” Hughes added.

The battered bodies of the boys were discovered on Sunday last in Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice. Seven persons remain in custody over the brutal murders.

The killers carved out a huge ‘X’ on Isaiah’s head while they cut open Joel’s chest.

Hughes said he intends to share the video and still footage of the PME with international partners and hope that they may be able to confirm or add their interpretation of what happened.

Hughes said Dr. Singh suspects that the boys died some 36 hours prior to when they were found.

The father of Isaiah and cousin of Joel, Gladson Henry said that it took a lot of strength for him to witness the PME.

He said the family continues to grieve but is thankful for the support they have received from people across the country.