Cause of death told in detail
Pathologist testifies Gwen Araujo died from strangulation, blunt trauma
, FROM STAFF REPORTS


HAYWARD — Gwen Araujo died of asphyxia due to strangulation associated with blunt trauma to the head, a forensic pathologist testified Monday in the retrial of three men charged in the Newark transgender teens slaying.

Both types of injury (strangulation and blunt trauma) are life-threatening and potentially fatal, said Dr. Sharon Van Meter, who performed the autopsy on Araujo.

The cause of death basically reflects that these are two serious types of trauma that can cause death.

Van Meter described two lacerations on the top of Araujos head and ligature marks on the neck of the teen, who had been trussed up with more than 37 feet of rope and wrapped in a flannel sheet and a quilt.