Published: Tuesday July 31, 2012 MYT 3:33:00 PM

Foray dying from heart attack unlikely, says medical specialist

By ONG HAN SEAN

KUANTAN: Although murdered French tourist Stephanie Foray could have also died from a heart attack or stroke, the chances for it to have happened was slim, a forensic medical specialist told the High Court here.

Dr Sri Marni Zainal Abidin said she could not rule out heart attack and stroke conclusively as the victim's body had gone through advance decomposition but she pointed out that no significant illnesses were spotted during post-mortem.

“I also have to take into consideration the age factor which gives me cause to believe the chances for a heart attack or stroke to occur was slim compared to death from head injuries,” she said Tuesday.

During Monday's proceedings, Dr Sri Marni of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, did not reject the possibility that Foray could have also died from other causes.

She had answered in the affirmative when defence counsel Muhammad Hisham Abdul Rahim suggested strangulation, stroke and heart attack as the other causes of Foray's death.

Dr Sri Marni was testifying in the trial of trader Asni Omar, 37, who is charged with murdering Foray, 30, at an unnumbered house in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, between 8pm on May 10 and noon on May 12 last year.

The 30-year-old civil servant's mummified remains were found in a cave on the island on August 8 last year.

Dr Sri Marni also told the court the four injuries to Foray's head could cause death even when taking stroke and heart attack into account.

“That is because there is a possibility these illnesses did not contribute significantly to her death or maybe it did not quicken the victim's fate. Furthermore, if the individual was afflicted by the diseases and if it were significant, then she would have already died before that,” she said.

Dr Sri Marni added that there could be other injuries besides the four cracks found on Foray's skull.

“The cracks could have caused injury to the brain and internal organs as well as damaging the surrounding skin, tissue and oral cavity until the victim's breathing was affected,” she said in answering a question posed by deputy public prosecutor Salim Soib @ Hamid.

She said for Foray to have strangled herself was a bit difficult considering the towel found wrapped around her neck was knotted in the back.

“I also agree it was difficult for the victim to have fallen into the cave and injured herself on the head as the body's position was facing upwards when found. Her legs were folded at the knees while her head was pointing upwards slightly to the right,” said Dr Sri Marni.

To a question by Muhammad Hisham on why she had taken a swab of Foray's genitals when it had already decomposed, Dr Sri Marni explained that the procedure was done on the exterior.

“What I meant was the inner reproductive organs like the uterus and ovaries could not be identified as it had already decomposed. I took a swab from the victim's perineum,” she said.

The trial before Judge Justice Mariana Yahya continues Wednesday. Related Stories:
Second attacker theory raised in French tourist murder trial
Foray murder trial: French tourist could have been suffocated, court hears
Foray murder trial: Forensic officer grilled over blood sampling procedures
Foray murder: Not enough DNA in semen stains
Foray murder trial postponed to Wednesday
Foray murder trial extended
We were very close, says mum of murdered French tourist
Murdered French tourist loved local customs, court told
Evidence in Foray murder case damaged

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