I did a search here but couldn't find the answer I need. I'll give a rep to anyone who answers, even if it's just to say "hi" or "shut up and drink your iced schnapps."
First, a backstory: Several years ago in my small town, within a year of each other, two married women were each found dead in their beds, one by the husband, the other by her son. No real answer was given except that there was no foul play. Neither woman was unhealthy, nor a smoker, druggie, or alchoholic. It was said (through the small town grapevine) that at least one of them maybe died of an asthmatic attack.
Now I'm formulating a story where a woman in her late 30s dies unexpectedly. Her death is ruled as being from an asthma attack in her sleep. Yet as the story unfolds, the reader finds out that the husband smothered her with a pillow.
My question--is that feasible that an autopsy wouldn't show someone was smothered? Or is there any other way someone would be murdered in their sleep but the autopsy wouldn't show it?
Thanks!
First, a backstory: Several years ago in my small town, within a year of each other, two married women were each found dead in their beds, one by the husband, the other by her son. No real answer was given except that there was no foul play. Neither woman was unhealthy, nor a smoker, druggie, or alchoholic. It was said (through the small town grapevine) that at least one of them maybe died of an asthmatic attack.
Now I'm formulating a story where a woman in her late 30s dies unexpectedly. Her death is ruled as being from an asthma attack in her sleep. Yet as the story unfolds, the reader finds out that the husband smothered her with a pillow.
My question--is that feasible that an autopsy wouldn't show someone was smothered? Or is there any other way someone would be murdered in their sleep but the autopsy wouldn't show it?
Thanks!
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