The cause of death for any individual can only be definitively determined by a medical examiner or coroner after a thorough investigation and review of the circumstances surrounding the death. Speculation or rumor should be avoided when the facts are not yet known.
Investigation Process
When an unexpected or suspicious death occurs, it will typically prompt an investigation from the medical examiner’s office and possibly law enforcement as well. The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy and toxicology tests to help determine the cause and manner of death. They will review the deceased’s medical history, the scene and circumstances of the death, and any other available information. Only after thoroughly examining and analyzing all of these factors will the medical examiner make a final determination about the cause and manner of death.
Manners of Death
The manner of death is distinct from the cause of death and refers to the classification of the circumstances surrounding the death. The five standard manners of death include:
- Natural
- Accident
- Suicide
- Homicide
- Undetermined
The cause of death describes the medical reason the person died, such as heart disease, drug overdose, trauma, etc. The manner helps further categorize the death based on how it occurred.
Common Causes
Some of the most prevalent natural causes of death include:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Chronic lower respiratory disease
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s
- Diabetes
- Influenza and pneumonia
Unnatural causes like accidents, suicides, homicides, and undetermined deaths require further investigation to understand what happened.
Importance of Official Determination
It is important that the public wait for an official cause and manner of death determination by the medical examiner before speculating about what happened. Their scientific expertise and impartiality allow for an accurate understanding of the death. Additionally, premature assumptions could interfere with any ongoing death investigation.
Conclusion
In the case of Shania Davis or any unexpected death, it is prudent to wait for the medical examiner to finish their thorough examination and investigation before drawing any conclusions about the potential cause or manner of death. They will review all available information to make the most accurate determination possible. During this difficult time, restraint should be exercised to avoid perpetuating uncorroborated rumors.
