The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released an autopsy last week showing that Christina Matos, who was found dead in her Raleigh apartment in April 2021, had been stabbed 16 times in the neck and head.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s report released on May 5 found Matos’ cause of death to be due to “sharp force injuries of [her] neck.” Authorities conducted the exam on April 5, 2021. Matos was 20.
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The report found:
- Injuries to soft tissue and musculature of neck, left and right jugular veins, thyroid gland and thyroid cartilage. Extensive hemorrhage within her neck. Subarachnoid hemorrhage surrounding base of the brain.
- Sharp force injuries of the wrist and hands.
Matos did not have an apparent pre-existing natural disease, the autopsy found.
Authorities conducted full-body X-Rays of Matos. They also took samples of blood, urine and vitreous humor for a toxicology report.
In April 2021, family and friends held a funeral service for Matos at Lea Funeral Home Chapel in Raleigh.
Erick Gael Hernandez-Mendez, 20, is charged with murder in the death of Matos.