On June 21, 2013, Cherish Perrywinkle, an eight-year-old girl, was abducted from a Walmart store in Jacksonville, Florida, by a man named Donald Smith. Hours later, her lifeless body was found near a creek in a marshy area. Following her death, Cherish’s autopsy report revealed gruesome details about how she was murdered, and what the killer did to her before she died. Examining the evidence provided by the autopsy report sheds new light on the case, and highlights the severity of the crime committed by Donald Smith.
The autopsy report shows that Cherish died of asphyxiation while being sexually assaulted. The killer smothered her by compressing her neck with his bare hands, which caused her to suffocate. This finding indicates that the killer intended to sexually assault her and used violence to silence her. The autopsy report also showed that Cherish had multiple injuries, including bruises on her face, arms, legs, and back. Moreover, her neck was manually strangled, and her clothing was removed, which suggests that the killer did not care about her well-being, and was only interested in fulfilling his dark desires.
The autopsy report also revealed that Cherish was given a sedative medication called Benadryl. According to the report, Benadryl was found in her system at the time of her death. This finding indicates that the killer intentionally drugged Cherish to make her easier to control, and to reduce her resistance. Giving a sedative to a child for the purpose of sexual assault is a sign of premeditation and planning, which points to the severity of the crime.
The autopsy report also provided details about the state of Cherish’s body when she was found. She was naked, except for her socks, which were found by her ankles. She had ligature marks on her wrists and ankles, which indicate that she was restrained during the attack. Furthermore, the report revealed that Cherish had been sexually assaulted both vaginally and anally. This finding highlights the extreme level of violence and depravity displayed by the killer, and the lack of remorse he had shown for his actions.
The autopsy report also provided a profile of the killer’s age, race, and height. According to the report, the killer was likely to be a white male, between the ages of 35 and 50 years, and over 5 feet 7 inches tall. This information helped the investigators identify Donald Smith as the perpetrator, who matched the profile. Smith was arrested and charged with the murder, sexual battery, and kidnapping of Cherish Perrywinkle.
In addition to the autopsy report, other pieces of evidence, such as video surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and DNA analysis, were used to build the case against Donald Smith. However, it was the autopsy report that provided the most conclusive evidence about how Cherish died and what was done to her. The report gave a clear picture of the extent of the injuries inflicted on her, the methods used to subdue her, and the killer’s lack of empathy towards her.
The Cherish Perrywinkle case is an example of the need to value and trust the work of forensic pathologists who perform autopsy examinations. Autopsies play a crucial role in determining the cause and manner of death, providing important evidence for investigators and prosecutors. Autopsies can also reveal clues that could lead to the identification of the killer, and provide insights into the motives and mental state of the offender.
In conclusion, the Cherish Perrywinkle autopsy report tells us a great deal about her killer. It reveals the extent of the violence and depravity committed against an innocent child, the premeditation and planning that went into the attack, and the callousness and lack of empathy the killer displayed. The autopsy report played a vital role in building a case against Donald Smith, who was eventually sentenced to death for his heinous crimes. The Cherish Perrywinkle case serves as a reminder of the importance of pursuing justice for victims of violent crimes and of relying on forensic evidence in both identifying and punishing those who commit them.
