An autopsy result has indicated that the death of Nigerian Air Force Tarmac Four cadet officer, Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyeomereneche was attributable to murder and not drowning.
This contradicts initial assumptions and speculations surrounding the circumstances of his demise.
A police source, who was involved in the investigation into the death of the late Chidiebere, told our correspondent on Tuesday that autopsy confirmed that the officer was likely murdered at Hotel Royal Damgrete in Umuahia, Abia State, and thrown into the hotel swimming pool to cover up the crime.
The autopsy result was made available to ABN TV by the Father, Mr. Ephraim Onyeomereneche on Tuesday after media chat with journalists.
The result shows that the late Air Force cadet officer died as a result of intracranial haematoma and skull fracture at occipital and right parietal region.
Contrary to report that Chidiebere drowned in a swimming pool at Hotel Royal Damgrete in Abia State on April 9, 2024, Onyeomereneche claims that his son was murdered, citing an autopsy conducted on June 29 which he said revealed the cause of death could be linked to poison.
He believed that Chidiebere’s death was orchestrated by one of his son’s colleagues.
However, the autopsy report for the late Chidiebere, issued on August 18, 2024, and authenticated by a team of renowned medical specialists, including Prof. M. A. Nnoli, Assoc. Prof. Jegede O.O., Dr. Chukwuegbo C.C., and Dr. Ogbata S.E., categorically rules out poisoning as the fatal factor.
Part of the autopsy result reads: “We certify the cause of death in our opinion to be: 1a. Intracranial Haematoma; 1b. Skeletal Injury (Skull Fracture – Occipital & Right Parietal Region) and 1c. Soft Tissue Injury (Blunt Head Trauma – Occipital Region).
“Summary of Cause of Death: Following the sudden blunt injury (soft tissue injury) at the back of the neck with consequent formation of subcutaneous haematoma and fracture as stated above, there is likely damage to vasomotor/baroreceptor centres and nerve roots as the area is very prone to injury.”
“These structures control the cardiovascular and respiratory centres and could have accounted for sudden death seen,” it reads.
The circumstances surrounding this incident continue to be shrouded in uncertainty, with conflicting narratives and accusations presenting a complex puzzle.