Serena Perry's cause of death 'undetermined,' inquest hears

Ontario's chief forensic pathologist says the cause of Serena Perry's death could notbe determined.

Dr. Michael Pollanen, who was asked by the Saint John Police Force'scriminal investigation division to review the evidence connected to Perry's "criminally suspicious" death at the Saint John Regional Hospital in 2012,testified Tuesday at the coroner's inquest.

He told the jurythere was no readily apparent, obvious injuries to Perry's body, and no evidence of serious violence.

"I give the cause of death as 'undetermined,'with the leading consideration, neck compression," Pollanen said, via videolink from Toronto.

Perry, 22,an involuntary psychiatric patientat the Saint John Regional Hospital,was found dead on Feb. 14, 2012, in the amphitheatre, which is located in another part of the hospital. She had a blue garment wrapped loosely around her neck.

Asphyxia due to strangulation

Earlier Tuesday, the inquest heard fromDr.MohammadHossain, a general pathologist in Saint John, who examined Perry's body following her death. He testifiedPerry died from asphyxia due to strangulation and "there must have been some connection" between hercause of death and theblue garment.

Hossain said there wassomehemorrhagingaround Perry's neck, but that could have been caused by the efforts to revive her.

There was, however, someindication of a lack of oxygen before Perry's death, based onthe tip of hertongue and fingertips, said Hossain.

The garment found wrapped looselyaround Perry's neck could have caused the death without leaving the marks one would normally find, he said.

Pollanen reviewed Hossain'soriginal autopsy report, toxicology reportand police records before giving police his second opinion of the cause of death being "undetermined."

John Gillis, who is representing the Perryfamily, isn't convinced.

"I wouldn't say it was 'undetermined'. I think Dr.Hossain had it correct the first time: there was strangulation," Gillis told reporters outside the courthouse.

"Clearly the other expert agreed that there was strangulation, it's just the method of how it was applied," he said, referring towhether it was a homicide, accidental death or suicide.

The Perry family remains convinced it was applied by another individual, said Gillis.

Saint John police hadtreated Perry's death as a homicide.Although police had a suspecta male patient also under the care of the psychiatric unit no charges were ever laid because the exact cause of death could not be determined.

The inquest is being held todetermine the facts surrounding Perry'sdeath. The five-member jury may also make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.

Psychologist Anne Blackmorealso testified on Tuesday. She said Perry was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a child, but by age 13, that had morphed into psychosis.

Perry had most recently been diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic, the courtroom heard.

"I was quite concerned for Serena and the thoughts she was having," said Blackmore.

Adding to Perry's difficulties were her use of marijuana, which can worsen psychosis, and the fact that her mother would sometimes resist outside help, Blackmore said.

In addition, Perry spent time in five foster homes and three hospitals during her young life, she said.

Three weeks have been set aside for the inquest, which is scheduled to resumeon Wednesday morning.