Seattle Police Department © Case Investigation Report Case Investigation Report: 94156500 Type of Crime Suicide Date of Incident 4/9/1994 Submitted by: Detective Michael Ciesynsl CMS- Administrative Clearance (A) COBAIN, KURT DONALD W/M/02-20-1967 Investigation: ‘As the 20th anniversary of Kust Cobain’s death was apptoaching, the SPD Public Information Unit asked if T would review the case file and answer some questions ftom the media, Duting the initial investigetion, I had a small cole that included taking @ taped statement 2 years after the incident. Therefore, my knowledge of the investigation was limited. ‘At the time of Kutt Cobain’s death T knew very little about him or his band Nirvana. I ordered the case file from SPD records vault and checked out all of the remaining evidence from SPD Evidence. 1 contacted the King County Medical Examiner's office and ordered the Autopsy report, I reviewed all material contained in the case file binders, the Autopsy and Toxicology report and viewed all evidence. Tinterviewed King County, Chief Medical Exetniner Dr, Richard Hazraff in rcgands to the autopsy and toxicology report. I contacted arid spoke with retired Detective jim Yoshida, who was one of the original case detectives. The other original case detective, Detective Steve Kirkland, is unfortunately deceased. In addition to reading official reports, | read numerous articles and watched several documentaries on the death of Kust Cobain, Photographs: 35 mum film and Polaroid’s were used to record the scene, 4 zolls of 35 mun film were not developed and were held in the secords vault before being turned over to the evidence room. Tt ‘has been my experience from wosking Cold Case Homicides for 10 years that certain evidence deteriorates ovet time, especially after 20 years, As a hamicide detective T have an obligation to preserve evidence thet I believe may lose its value duc to decay. ] recovered this film and requested it be developed by the SPD Photo Laboratory. SPD Photo Lab Supervisor Sean Jordan had to use the King County Sherifts Photo lab as SPD no longer processes 35 mua film. When I received the developed photos, I observed a green tint on all of them, Jordan siated that the green tint was due i are (71 Rev. 812Seattle Police Department © Case Investigation Report Case Investigation Report: 94-156500 the film deverioration. I requested the Photo Tab to clean up the 35 mm film (green tint) and place on acd along with the Polaroid’s. ‘The photos depicted the victim (Cobain) and the scene. Most of photographs are from came angle as the Polaroid’s. Autopsy Report: The Autopsy report was prepared by Assistant Medical Examiner, Nikolas Hattshocne, M.D, (deceased) and approved by Chief Medical Exeminer, Donald Reay, M.D. ‘this reports states that the cause of death is aitributed to a contact penetrating shotgun wound to the head (mouth). It further states that, “in view of the scene and circumstances sutrounding his (Cobain) death, the manner of death is classified as suicide’, The Pathological Diagnoses ako states “Evidence of parenteral deug use, including needle tracks and fresh needle puncture wounds”. The Blood test results indicate Morphine level, 1.52 mg/L (milligrams per Liter). Blood Ethanol was negative. Dr. Hatruff advised that this was a large amount of Morphine (heroin), and that tolerance is cxiremely important when evaluating opiate levels. With tolecent individuals, very high levels can be achieved far moge than a non-tolerant person. Note: The note recovered from scene was examined by a Washington State Patrol Forensic Document Examiner. The examinet concluded that the note was written by Kurt Cobain. On 4-14 94, Wendy O'Connor, the victim’s mothes, met with Deteciives Yoshida and Kickland. Ms. O’Connor stated thar she had read che note, and it was her opinion that the victim wrote it. Weapon: When I first looked at the 35 mm crime scene photos, | noticed that the Remington 20 gauge shotgun was lying on victim’s chest with the receiver facing up. I also observed a spent yellow shell casing lying on a coat at che xight side of the photo. In the magazine ! could observe a yellow round aot fully chambered, that appeated to have malfunctioncd. 1 was aware that for the spent casing to have laaded to the victims left, the weapon would have had to been tumed 180 degrees from what it wes found. It appeared evident 10 what had happened when the weapon was fited, but I requested assistance from SPD Range Armorer Cust Wilson, I showed Officer Wilson a photo of victim holding the weapon, but I did not identify the victim. Officer Wilson stated that the fired sound would have gjecied in the ditection where it was found and the second round probably malfunctioned due to victim holding the barrel, which prevented fice movement of the barrel. The weapon probably pivoted when fired, and fell 10 the present position. Held in this manner, the fired round would have ejected to where it was depicted in the photo. ‘The ammunition was Winchester 20 gauge, target load ‘The wounds victim sustained were consistent with the effects that would have come from a-20 gange shotgua with target load ammunition. Inside of the bag containing the shotgun shells, I recovered a sales receipt for $6.95, which was dated 42-94, On the box of 20 gauge ammunition is a price sticker for $6.95 from “Searile Guns”. ‘The front Page zor CR Rev?© Seattle Police Department Case Investigation Report Case Investigation Report: 94156800 of the box describes that each box contains 25 shotgun shells. I counted 22 yellow, 20 gauge shotgun shells in the box. 2 live shells were recovered from the shotgun, and one spent shell from atop victin’s jacket. “Seattle Guns” was located just south of 145th and Aurora. In the oziginal detectives follow-up it was noted that 2 Gtay Top Taxi picked up a male from the Cobain residence on the moming of 4-2- 94. This male advised the cab diver that he wanted to find a place to buy some bullets since he had recently Lees butglanzed. ‘The cab driver dropped this pe:son off in the area of 145th and Aurora Some theorists have suggested thal 2 20 gauge shotgun would have caused more than the penetrating wounds sustained by victim. This is a completely false assumption. Studies conducted have showa that the wounds sustained by victim were consistent with the load and gauge of the sccovered weapon. Conclusion: Based on my experience from reviewing the evidence, reports and interview transcriptions, the investigation oa the death of Kurt Cobain, which was conducted 20 yeats ago, reached the correct conclusion that the manner of death was (Suicide). Page 3 ofS OR ReeSeattle Police Department 9 Case Investigation Report Case Investigation Report: 94-1565110 Certificati That Narne is a Detective with the Seattle Police Department and has reviewed the investigation conducted in Seattle Police Department Case number Nurcber. There is probable cause to believe that SUSPECT committed the crime of CRIMU within the City of Seattle, County of King, State of Washington. This beliefis predicated on the following facts and circumstances. 1 Under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington, | certify that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signed and dated by me this Date day of Month & Year, at Seattie, Washington. Page 4 of S OR ReusSeattle Police Department © Case Investigation Report Case Investigation Report: 94156500 Investigation: Page Sof5 mR Rev BtWy a era oe eye 20 2% 2% % 8 | GAUGE INCHES DR.EQ. OZ. SHOT yhee He a DOUBLE A 20 — YE a LA a | GAUGE INCHES DR.EQ. 02. 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