A medical examination of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham attributes the sophomore's death to "homicidal violence."
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the Albemarle County police divulged that the state's medical examiner has revealed that the death was due to "homicidal violence of undetermined etiology."
"The cause of death is homicidal violence of undetermined etiology. The manner of death is homicide," said the police.
However, the exact cause of Graham's death remains unknown as the medical examiner withheld details and a report on the final autopsy has not been issued.
"To protect the integrity of the case, we will not be answering questions or releasing additional information. We are working hard to ensure that justice is served," revealed officials.
On Sept. 13, 18-year-old Graham vanished post a night out near Charlottesville, Virginia. The disappearance fueled a month-long search for the University student. On Oct. 18, the sophomore's remains were discovered at an abandoned property, which was 10 miles away from the Charlottesville mall where Graham had last been spotted walking.
Video surveillance footage showed Graham with 32-year-old Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr., post which she went missing. Graham had texted friends that she was lost after partying. Police believed that Graham may have been under alcohol influence, which made her susceptible and not in a position to defend herself.
The police arrested Matthew in Texas on Sept. 24 a day after a warrant was issued in his name for abduction with the intent to defile.
Incidentally, the property where the student's body was found is situated nearly 6 miles from where the remnants of Morgan Harrington, a Virginia Tech student, were found in 2009. The police suspect a link between the two cases and Matthew's arrest is a "significant break."
Currently, Matthew is in jail at Fairfax, Virginia, for charges pertaining to a 2005 sexual assault case. He pleaded not guilty last week in the said case.
Under Virginia state law, if an accused is found guilty of killing a victim during abduction or rape, the suspect can face death penalty or mandatory life sentence.
Matthew's first hearing in the Graham case is scheduled for Dec. 4.
