Victim's body reveals important information about his life, death

by Denise Travers

On May 14, Dr. Amy Burrows-Beckham, of the University of Louisville’s Division of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine, filed a report of her April 23 postmortem examination of Aaron Hall. The report reveals valuable information about Aaron Hall, and the fatal beating he sustained at the hands of Coleman King and Garret Gray.

Burrows-Beckham’s final diagnosis: death was as a result of “blunt force injuries” and “probable hypothermia” due to “possible paradoxical undressing”. An Indiana State Police supplemental case report shows that, on April 12-13, the average temperature was 38.5 degrees in Crothersville.

The report indicates that Aaron’s body was dumped while clothed, but was later found to be naked. This aspect of the report contradicts information recounted by anonymous sources, who indicate that Aaron’s clothes were removed and burned prior to disposal of the body, to “get rid of evidence.” In addition, the scenario is confounded by the defendants’ own statements that they returned to the ditch Aaron’s body was deposited into in order to retrieve a camouflage jacket. The Indiana State Police Property Record indicates that six grommets were retrieved from the burn pile behind the garage. The same property record lists no items retrieved from the ditch or field near the site of Aaron’s death.

The medical examiner noted scalp hemorrhages, “acute” subdural hemorrhages, acute subarachnoid hemorrhaging over the right occipital lobe, facial contusions and lacerations, and acute fractures of the nasal bone and ribs. A two-inch laceration on Aaron’s forehead exposed the dome of the skull, and “marked” bruising and swelling covered the left of the face.

Linear, vertically-oriented abrasions “consistent with drag marks” were present on Aaron’s back, and a 1-inch by 3/4-inch triangular abrasion was present behind the right knee. “Multiple apparent red contusions” were present under the ribs on the right side of the body. The right arm and the backs of the legs bore “multiple red contusions.”

When received in Louisville, Aaron’s body was wrapped in a blue tarp and a navy blue queen-sized fitted sheet. The body was received nude, save for a yellow metal necklace around his neck. The necklace, tarp and sheet were collected by the Indiana State Police, along with DNA evidence, fingernail clippings and hair samples.

Central blood and urine toxicology reports indicate the presence of alcohol and cannabinoids in Aaron’s system. “Acute ethanol intoxication” is listed as a possible contributory factor, as is coronary artery disease.

Aaron’s body was tattooed over multiple surfaces. The medical examiner describes the tattoos as “extensive” and “sophisticated.” Caged and nude women, skulls, Harley Davidson insignias and generic designs (a dragon, a warrior, a lightening bolt, a flower, an eagle, a heart) accompany more troubling motifs, such as two swastikas on his right knee and “88”, which was incorporated into a half-sleeve on his left arm.

The medical examiner’s report and property records were retrieved during a review of publicly accessible documents in the Jackson County Office of the Court in Brownstown.

Denise Travers is a citizen journalist/blogger, graduate student and 18+ year resident of South Central Indiana. Email Denise at citizendlt@gmail.com.