Jelani Day’s mother has responded to reports about her son’s latest autopsy and clarified what she says were contradictory findings. As reported by REVOLT, an autopsy performed by a private forensic pathologist found that Day’s jawbone had been “sawed out,” his genitalia was unidentifiable and his front top and bottom teeth were missing.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the pathologist was also unable to locate the 25-year-old’s eyeballs, brain, liver and spleen and said his organs were “completely liquified.”
The findings led social media users to demand justice for Day, with some people speculating that he might have been a victim of organ harvesting.
However, on Monday evening (Oct. 11), Day’s mother Carmen Day said she does not believe this is the case and clarified that the two autopsies performed on her son revealed contradictory findings.
“No organs were missing. I do not want to stray off from the facts,” she said in a statement. “There were contradicting facts from the first preliminary autopsy compared to the second independent autopsy, but this is not a case of organ harvesting.”
“However, my son did not put himself in a river,” she continued. “My son was murdered and my goal and purpose are to find out what happened and hold those responsible accountable.”
The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation into Day’s death is ongoing and police have called circumstances surrounding the young man’s Aug. 24 disappearance “very suspicious.” As reported by REVOLT, a body found in the Illinois River near Peru, Illinois on Sept. 4 was confirmed to be Day’s nearly three weeks later.
According to MEAWW, Day’s family’s attorney is currently seeking out scientific explanations for how his body could have decomposed so severely. On Saturday (Oct. 9), the late Illinois State University student’s family, friends and community gathered at Danville High School to celebrate his promising young life and legacy.