A Case of Dyadic Death Associated with Helium Gas: An Autopsy Case Report.

Ha, Hongil; Lim, Seung; Kim, Jeong Mok; Park, Sohyung; Yang, Kyung Moo; Kim, Seong Ho; Kim, Yu Hoon

doi:2014.38.3.121

Korean J Leg Med > Volume 38(3); 2014 > Article

Case Report

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine 2014;38(3):121-125.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2014.38.3.121 Published online August 31, 2014.

A Case of Dyadic Death Associated with Helium Gas: An Autopsy Case Report.

Hongil Ha, Seung Lim, Jeong Mok Kim, Sohyung Park, Kyung Moo Yang, Seong Ho Kim, Yu Hoon Kim

¹Division of Forensic Medicine, Busan Institute, National Forensic Service, Yangsan, Korea. sanchee@korea.kr
²Scientific Investigation Division, Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, Changwon, Korea.
³Medical Examiner's Office, National Forensic Service, Wonju, Korea.
⁴Daejeon Institute, National Forensic Service, Daejeon, Korea.

Abstract

A 39-year-old man, his 35-year-old wife, and their 13-year-old daughter were found dead in their home. The man and his daughter were found lying in her bedroom, with his head wrapped in a plastic bag connected to four helium gas cylinders by green polypropylene tubes. Fragments of the burnt ignition briquette were found in the bucket located at her feet. His wife was found in a decomposed state lying on her right side in her bedroom. Autopsy findings for the man were unremarkable except for cherry pink lividity; the blood carboxyhemoglobin concentration was 73%. Autopsy findings were unremarkable for the woman as well, except for a few petechial hemorrhages and conjunctival congestion. The daughter showed no definite abnormalities; however, her blood and lung contained helium gas. The deceased man's suicide note, evidence gathered at the scene, and postmortem examination revealed that this was a case of dyadic death.

Key Words: Asphyxia, Autopsy, Helium, Homicide-Suicide