Forensic Pathologist Describes Noah Donohoe Case
A pathology expert has characterized the case of missing Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe as "one of the most extraordinary cases" he has encountered.
Dr Nathaniel Cary, a home office-registered consultant forensic pathologist, provided testimony for a second day at the inquest into the death of the 14-year-old.
Noah's body was discovered in an underground water tunnel six days after he went missing in north Belfast in June 2020.
Before his disappearance, Noah had discarded his phone, rucksack, all the clothing he was wearing, and his trainers.
He subsequently abandoned his bicycle on a pavement at Northwood Road in north Belfast and was observed naked, running behind houses near a culvert at the entrance to the tunnel.
In his evaluation, Dr Cary considered that the circumstances could be indicative of an "acute psychotic episode" or "acute drug intoxication."
However, post-mortem examination results showed no presence of drugs in Noah's body.
Cary also noted, based on his experience, that substances such as "spice" can induce "mind-altering" behavior.
He further explained awareness of cases where individuals using cocaine have removed their clothes and poured water over themselves.
Nonetheless, Cary acknowledged that he defers to toxicologists and psychiatrists for expertise on these specific issues.
Consensus Among Witnesses on Key Death Elements
Dr Cary has been giving evidence alongside Dr Marjorie Turner, who conducted the post-mortem examination on Noah, and Prof Jack Crane, former State Pathologist for Northern Ireland.
Turner and Crane also deferred to toxicologists and psychiatrists regarding drug-related matters.
Regarding a joint note confirming negative drug presence, Turner explained awareness that some "unstable" drugs may degrade in the body prior to post-mortem examination, a position Crane concurred with.
The post-mortem examination did not detect any drugs in Noah's system.
All three witnesses agreed on several key points about Noah's death: he was likely alive upon entering the storm drain water, the cause of death was drowning, death likely occurred near the time of disappearance, and there was no evidence of third-party involvement.
Turner concluded that Noah's death could have occurred within hours of his disappearance.
When questioned at the inquest, she reiterated her belief that it is "more likely" Noah died closer to his disappearance than to the time his body was found.
All three witnesses agreed that determining the exact time of death is not possible.
They also concurred there was no evidence of brain injury.
They agreed that if Noah suffered a concussion from a fall, drowning could have resulted from falling forward into a small amount of water.
The witnesses were asked whether the absence of water samples from the scene limited the post-mortem examination; they agreed that such samples could have provided additional information related to the drowning finding.
However, Turner emphasized that access to water samples "would not have altered my cause of death" based on her examination.
Crane stated that after reviewing Turner's findings, he was satisfied all necessary samples were taken and no additional samples were required.
He also indicated no need for a second post-mortem examination.
Crane informed the coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, that the covering of Noah's body in "dark brown/black mud-like material" likely resulted from prolonged immersion in the storm drain.
