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🕑 Added 2025-03-21 05:56:56 +0000 UTCAnatomy of a Killer
Chapter 20 - The Girl in the Woods, Part 9
Lieutenant LaGuerta’s Office, Homicide Division
LaGuerta reviewed the report with a stern expression. After reading Larry’s statements, she looked up and asked firmly:
“Forensic Doctor Luk, are you completely sure about this?”
“Yes, we all are,” Larry replied without a shred of doubt in his investigation.
The evidence on the table spoke for itself. Camila had died clutching a small piece of white leather in the shape of a "B," which turned out to be an ornament that had fallen off Valeria’s shoes. Furthermore, the forensic analysis revealed traces of Valeria’s DNA both on the laces used to strangle Camila and under her nails. The connection was undeniable.
“The autopsy results for Greta Mayer are not yet complete.” Larry pointed at the report on the table and said, “Consider this a draft of the original report. I’ll send you the final version as soon as it’s ready.”
LaGuerta nodded. The overwhelming evidence had dispelled any doubts about Larry’s team’s efficiency.
“Alright, I’ll issue an arrest warrant immediately.”
Larry narrowed his eyes, thoughtful. “Catch her as soon as possible. I suspect she might try to take her own life.”
As they left the office, Ángel, still pondering Larry’s warning, finally asked, “Why do you think Valeria wants to kill herself?”
Larry didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he walked toward the homicide office, paused, and looked at them both seriously. “The crime scene for Greta Mayer was practically spotless—almost perfect. Every trace that could identify the killer was erased. But in Camila’s case, there are too many loose ends. Why do you think that is?”
Ángel and Masuka exchanged glances. Larry continued, confident in his reasoning, “When Camila was killed, the security guard passing near the school forest startled the murderer. They didn’t have time to manipulate the scene. On the other hand, with Greta Mayer, they chose an isolated location where almost no one passed by. They took their time, planned every detail, and, to top it off, a pack of wild dogs finished destroying the evidence.”
“We’re dealing with a meticulous mind. But what would someone like that do upon realizing their crime is about to be exposed?”
Ángel stroked his chin, reflecting seriously. “If I were in their place… maybe that would be the most logical path.”
Max frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. “Are you saying she already knows she’s been discovered and is planning to kill herself? That’s way too extreme!”
“For an ordinary person, yes,” Larry admitted, agreeing with Max, but there was something Max wasn’t considering. “But for someone who has already killed two people with precision and cold-bloodedness, nothing is impossible. Let’s go!”
Ángel and Max exchanged a glance, trying to keep up with Larry’s rapid reasoning.
“Where are we going?” Max asked, still confused.
“There’s still missing evidence in Greta Mayer’s case. The police must arrest the right person, but we have another matter to deal with,” Larry said as he headed toward the morgue. “We need to perform a second autopsy on Greta Mayer. Last night, I requested that her body be thawed.”
Without further explanation, Larry moved ahead, leaving his colleagues with no choice but to follow him.
“Again?”
The three of them descended the stairs. Autopsy Room No. 2 was already prepared, and Greta Mayer’s body had been completely thawed.
Originally, the cadaveric lividity on her body had been prominent, but now, due to the freezing and thawing process, it had shifted. Curiously, most of the discoloration appeared on the right side of the body.
During the first autopsy, Larry hadn’t examined her back in detail because, at the time, her internal organs had been almost entirely exposed. For this second examination, he decided to start from behind.
The two forensic specialists, fully equipped with gloves and protective gowns, positioned themselves on either side of the dissection table and worked together to turn the corpse. Meanwhile, Ángel stood at a distance from the working area.
Once the body was completely turned over, Max took a deep breath and pointed at a circular, bloodless mark in the middle of the back.
“How is it possible that this mark appears now? It wasn’t there during the first autopsy!” Max exclaimed, very surprised by the changes.
He stepped closer to examine it better. With the body lying face down on the stretcher, the visual impact was less intense.
Larry took a cotton swab and began cleaning the mark, using up to three swabs to remove any residue.
“Many marks can become more visible after the body has been frozen and thawed,” Larry explained, knowing this could happen. “The process accelerates decomposition and can make certain bruises or pre-existing injuries stand out more.”
“Do you know what this mark is?”
Larry frowned and reviewed the findings from the first autopsy: no signs of cranial trauma, no strangulation marks on the neck, no drug residues in the blood. Only scratches had been found on the victim’s palms and knees.
That means the killer controlled her in another way…
“The murderer must have taken her by surprise, probably pushing her from behind to destabilize her. It’s possible they used an inhaled anesthetic to knock her out. Although no traces were found in her blood, certain volatile compounds disappear over time or degrade during the freezing process.”
“Do you think they could have also immobilized her with their body?” Ángel asked from the side.
Larry nodded. “Yes. If they applied pressure with their knee on her back while tying her up, that would explain the circular mark we see here. We should also check for fractures or signs of internal bleeding in the rib area, which would indicate that significant force was applied.”
“Makes sense… Since Greta Mayer hadn’t eaten in a day, it’s logical she was physically weakened.”
Larry picked up a scalpel and prepared to examine the area in more detail. “We need more evidence. If this mark formed before her death, we might be one step closer to understanding exactly how she was murdered.”
Different types of evidence (DNA, fingerprints, cadaveric lividity, chemical traces, wound patterns) can either reinforce or contradict a conclusion. If multiple pieces of evidence point to the same outcome, the case becomes stronger.
That’s why, in a trial, a defense attorney will look for any inconsistency to discredit the investigation. The more evidence there is, the harder it is to refute.
And that is how forensic specialists ensure that detectives’ work isn’t torn apart in court.
