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The Unsettling Truth: 5 Key Discrepancies In Brett Wittner's Second Autopsy Results

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The tragic and mysterious death of Covington teen Brett Wittner in 2012 has remained a source of intense public scrutiny and family agony for over a decade. As of December 23, 2025, the highly anticipated results of his second autopsy, performed after his body was exhumed, have failed to deliver the definitive closure his parents, Donna and David Wittner, desperately sought. The official findings reportedly supported the original cause of death, yet the forensic evidence that prompted the re-examination—and the family's persistent belief—continues to challenge the suicide ruling, deepening the controversy surrounding the cold case.

The decision to exhume Brett Wittner’s body and conduct a new forensic analysis was driven by a compelling investigative report that highlighted significant inconsistencies in the initial 2012 death investigation. While the second autopsy was expected to resolve the long-standing questions regarding the nature of the fatal gunshot wound, its official conclusion has instead created a new layer of ambiguity, leaving the Wittner family still grappling with unanswered questions and a community divided over the true circumstances of the 14-year-old's death.

The Tragic Profile of Brett Wittner and the Original Case Timeline

The case of Brett Wittner is a harrowing example of a family’s tireless pursuit of justice against an official ruling they believe is fundamentally flawed. His death, which occurred at a sleepover, was quickly classified, but the ensuing years of independent investigation by his mother, Donna Wittner, kept the case alive and eventually forced a re-examination.

  • Full Name: Brett Taylor Wittner
  • Age at Death: 14 years old
  • Date of Death: February 25, 2012
  • Residence: Covington, Louisiana
  • Parents: Donna Wittner (Mother) and David Wittner (Father)
  • Circumstances: Fatally shot with a .22 long rifle while at a sleepover at a friend's house.
  • Initial Ruling: The Washington Parish Coroner’s Office and the initial forensic pathologist concluded the death was an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound, or suicide.
  • Key Evidence in Original Report: The original autopsy report stated that only one bullet was found inside Brett's head, fired at contact range.

The initial ruling was a crushing blow to the family, who immediately questioned the findings based on the circumstances of the shooting and the location of the wound. The mother, Donna Wittner, dedicated over a decade to investigating the cold case herself, navigating a constant loop between the Sheriff's office, the Coroner's office, and the District Attorney's office.

The Discrepancy That Forced the Exhumation and Second Look

The movement to reopen the Brett Wittner case gained significant traction due to a high-profile investigation by David Hammer of WWL Louisiana. This investigative journalism piece brought new forensic analysis and expert opinions to light, directly challenging the foundational conclusions of the 2012 report.

The Single-Shot vs. Double-Shot Controversy

The most critical element that led to the exhumation was the contradictory evidence surrounding the number of gunshot wounds.

  • Original Theory (Suicide Ruling): The initial forensic pathologist concluded a single, self-inflicted contact wound, with one bullet found.
  • New Expert Review (Re-examination Catalyst): Ballistics experts and independent medical professionals who reviewed the original autopsy data and evidence concluded that Brett Wittner may have been shot twice in the head.

This "double-shot" theory was a game-changer. It is extremely rare for a self-inflicted wound to involve two shots, especially with a .22 long rifle, casting serious doubt on the suicide ruling and suggesting the possibility of foul play or murder. The compelling evidence presented by the WWL Louisiana investigation prompted a new Washington Parish sheriff to take office and immediately push for a second, independent autopsy and the exhumation of Brett’s remains.

The Official Verdict of the Second Autopsy and the Unanswered Questions

After nearly 13 years, the second autopsy was performed with the hope of finally resolving the inconsistencies and providing definitive answers through advanced forensic analysis and pathology reports. The results, however, proved to be complex and controversial, failing to satisfy the family's quest for justice.

The official findings from the second autopsy, according to reports, largely supported the original conclusion, suggesting the single-shot theory and maintaining the accidental or self-inflicted nature of the wound.

Why the Second Autopsy Results Sparked Further Controversy:

Despite the official alignment with the 2012 ruling, the results of the second autopsy created further debate for several key reasons:

  1. No Closure for the Family: The primary outcome cited in news reports is that the new autopsy "leaves family with unanswered questions." The official findings did not negate the possibility of a homicide, nor did they fully explain the physical evidence that led the independent experts to suggest a double-shot scenario.
  2. Conflicting Expert Interpretation: The fact that the initial review by ballistics and medical experts strongly suggested two shots, while the subsequent physical re-examination reportedly supported the single-shot theory, highlights a profound conflict in the forensic analysis and pathology reports.
  3. The Unreleased Specifics: Despite the dramatic exhumation and the public nature of the investigation, specific, detailed toxicology results, wound path analysis, and forensic analysis from the second autopsy have not been fully released to the public, fueling speculation and distrust.
  4. The Role of the New Coroner: The new Washington Parish Coroner, Dr. Roger Casama, was instrumental in pushing for the second autopsy. While the official ruling may support the original finding, the pressure to re-examine the case signifies a recognition of the initial investigation's flaws.
  5. The Ongoing Nature of the Cold Case: The lack of a clear, definitive ruling that satisfies all parties means the case remains an active cold case. The Washington Parish authorities continue to face pressure to investigate the possibility of murder, regardless of the autopsy's official classification.

The complexity of the case, involving a young victim, a disputed cause of death, and a controversial investigation timeline, has cemented Brett Wittner’s death as a significant point of contention in Louisiana's criminal justice history. The ongoing pursuit of the truth by Donna Wittner and the persistent efforts of the WWL Louisiana investigative team underscore the community’s belief that the full story of Brett’s final moments has yet to be revealed. The hope remains that further forensic analysis and investigative work will eventually connect the dots that the second autopsy, despite its efforts, could not definitively link.

brett wittner 2nd autopsy results
brett wittner 2nd autopsy results

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