Autopsy on Buruburu man shows he died painfully in his car on an empty stomach

The 36-year-old man who died in a fire inside his car in Bururburu estate, Nairobi on April 28 burnt to death painfully.

An autopsy on Tuesday ruled out the possibility that Terrence Korir was planted in the car when he was already dead.

Chief Government pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor said the autopsy showed Korir had plenty of soot in his respiratory system - an indication he was alive and breathing well, and took long in the car before he died.

Oduor said Korir’s intestines were empty, indicating that he had not eaten for some time or before his death.

Dr Oduor added that the deceased had more soot on airways and around lungs - an indication he was alive and breathing as he burnt.

“He inhaled a lot of soot an indication that he took a lot of time in the car before he died because we saw discolouration of tissues. This happens when you inhale more carbon monoxide,” Oduor said.

He added their preliminary findings showed Korir, a banker sat in the car as he painfully burnt.

“The summary is that this is a person who died in the car fire incident. The circumstances and what caused the fire is what we cannot tell.”

The autopsy was carried out at the Chiromo Mortuary, Nairobi where his body has been lying after the incident.

He said other investigations would continue to establish what caused the fire.

Police were present during the postmortem. Other specialists’ teams involved in the investigations include the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Government Chemist and fire experts who are working with the DCI to establish the cause of Korir’s death.

According to Oduor, Korir burnt extensively on the entire body with only little sparing on the back and the buttocks.

He burnt beyond recognition while seated still on the driver’s seat and eyewitnesses said the position of his body on the seat did not show an indication that he died attempting to flee.

Police suspect suicide as the motive behind the incident. The detectives have not ruled out arson, because the engine and trunk of the Subaru were intact. Only the inner part of the car where Korir was sitting was extensively damaged.

According to investigators, the victim either chose to sit pretty as he burnt down or was indisposed by probable substances.

Samples were taken from Korir’s stomach for toxicological analysis.

Korir was preparing to report to work on April 28 when his car burnt outside his house at about 8.30 am. His wife and two children were in the house when he died.

His colleagues have told police that he seemed stressed. At least six people including first responders have been questioned by police.

They said they arrived at the scene almost two minutes after but could not help as the victim sat inside the burning car and did not attempt to get out.