ISLAMABAD: Forensic tests have revealed that former Reuters bureau chief in Pakistan, Maria Golovnina, died due to suffocation and found no indication of foul play.

According to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency report seen by Dawn, no traces of poison were found in the samples sent for forensic tests.

Ms Golovnina, 34, died on February 17. A post-mortem conducted a week after her demise could not ascertain the actual cause of death. However, samples taken from the body were sent to the pathology and forensic lab.

According to the forensic report, “a histological examination of sections from the heart revealed patent and congested coronaries”, while the lungs section revealed “vascular congestion and presence of oedematous fluid inside alveoli”.

According to a specialist associated with Pims, the report indicates that the deceased died of suffocation and displayed what appeared to be symptoms of cardiac arrest.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2015

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