Overview
- An independent team led by forensic specialist Brian Burnett and researcher Michelle Wilkins asserts their re-examination points to a staged homicide rather than suicide.
- Their paper, accepted by the International Journal of Forensic Sciences, outlines ten disputed findings they say conflict with an instantaneous self-inflicted gunshot death.
- The review cites autopsy details including fluid in the lungs, petechial hemorrhages, and brain and liver necrosis as patterns they argue align more with heroin overdose.
- Researchers highlight alleged scene irregularities such as receipts for the gun and shells in Cobain’s pocket, shells arranged at his feet, capped syringes, and an unusually clean hand.
- The team questions portions of the note’s handwriting and is urging a transparent re-examination of evidence, while the King County Medical Examiner and Seattle police say the case will not be reopened at this time.