Philemon and Baucis Deaths: Case Reports and Postmortem Biochemistry Contribution

• NCJ Number: 246033
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2014 Pages: 1133-1138
• Author(s): Christelle Lardi M.D.; Gregory Schmit M.D.; Sandra Burkhardt M.D.; Patrice Mangin Ph.D.; Cristian Palmiere M.D.
• Date Published: July 2014
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The death of a person as a reaction to the death of another is known as Philemon and Baucis death and may represent a difficult challenge for pathologists, especially due to the decompositional changes that often characterized these situations.

Abstract

The death of a person as a reaction to the death of another is known as Philemon and Baucis death and may represent a difficult challenge for pathologists, especially due to the decompositional changes that often characterized these situations. In this article, we describe two cases of Philemon and Baucis deaths, the first concerning a married couple and the second concerning a father and son. Postmortem investigations including radiology and biochemistry were performed. Based on the results of all investigations, deaths were attributed to natural causes. Third-party involvement could be excluded in both situations. In one case, biochemical analysis results revealed potentially contributing causes of death. The reported cases emphasize the importance of correlating findings from different postmortem investigations to identify causes of death, precipitating conditions and predisposing disorders, thus allowing the conclusion of natural death to be reached and third-party involvement to be excluded. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.