Forensic pathologist called by defense says Tammy Daybell’s cause of death ‘undetermined’
May 21, 2024, 4:00 PM
Dr. Kathy Raven, a forensic pathologist testified Tuesday, May 21 in Chad Daybell's murder trial that his wife, Tammy Daybell's death is best classified as "undetermined." (Judge Steven W. Boyce via YouTube)
(Judge Steven W. Boyce via YouTube)
BOISE, Idaho — A forensic pathologist called by the defense in the Chad Daybell murder trial testified the death of Chad’s longtime wife, Tammy Daybell, is best classified as “undetermined.”
Dr. Kathy Raven took the stand Tuesday as defense attorney John Prior continued calling witnesses in the high-profile case.
Raven, who is based in California, said she reviewed autopsy reports of Tammy Daybell – whom Chad Daybell is accused of murdering in October 2019 – along with her death certificate, and law enforcement and coroner reports.
Related: KSL’s complete coverage of the Chad Daybell case.
“Since we don’t know exactly what happened, we call it undetermined,” Raven said, “and that’s what I would have called this.”
But Utah’s Office of the Medical Examiner concluded Tammy Daybell died from asphyxia by homicide. Prosecutors sought to discount Raven’s testimony by listing a slew of reports reviewed by Utah officials in examining Tammy Daybell’s death, and asking if Raven looked at any of them in her work for the defense.
Raven said she did not.
Prior also asked Raven about seizures and arrhythmia as possible causes of death for Tammy Daybell. But under cross-examination from prosecutors, Raven said she did not identify any structural defect with Tammy’s heart, nor did she review any of Tammy’s medical records that mentioned seizures or shaking.
