A forensic pathologist testified that during the autopsy of a 12-year-old boy in the care of two women in Burlington, Ontario, the cause of death could not be determined. Dr. Michael Pickup, Ontario’s deputy chief forensic pathologist, mentioned that potential causes of death, such as hypothermia or cardiac arrest due to severe malnourishment, could not be ruled out. The two women, Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, facing charges including first-degree murder of the boy, were in the process of adopting him when he passed away in 2022.
Referred to in court as L.L., the boy’s identity, along with that of his younger brother J.L., is protected under a publication ban. Cooney and Hamber also face charges of confinement, assault with a weapon (zip ties), and failure to provide the necessaries of life to J.L. The trial, presided over by Justice Clayton Conlan at the Ontario Superior Court, commenced last month and is anticipated to run through November.
During the trial, Crown attorney Monica MacKenzie had Dr. Pickup detail his autopsy report on L.L., indicating that no significant injuries were found. Tests revealed that L.L. had ingested Venlafaxine pills, a prescribed medication used for various mental health conditions. While the medication concentration was higher than therapeutic levels, it was not fatal. Dr. Pickup noted that due to L.L.’s thin and small stature, malnutrition was a significant consideration as a potential cause of death.
The absence of ketones in L.L.’s body, which are indicative of acute starvation, did not conclusively rule out the possibility of starvation. Dr. Pickup explained that malnutrition could lead to electrolyte imbalances affecting the heart rhythm, potentially leading to death. Additionally, hypothermia was mentioned as a potential cause of death during the trial, with Dr. Pickup acknowledging the possibility given certain circumstances.
The trial delved into the specifics of L.L.’s condition before his death, with expert testimonies shedding light on the severe malnourishment he suffered. The trial continues to uncover more details surrounding the tragic events leading to L.L.’s passing, with the cause of death remaining a matter of investigation.