The Teton County Coroner had confirmed Tuesday that Gabby Petito had died by manual strangulation, and experts added that it may have been a “long, deliberate” process.
Dr. Dan Field is an expert witness in homicide and strangulation cases. He testified that strangling someone takes between 62 and 157 seconds to inflict death.
Dr. Field added that the victims first lose consciousness within 10 seconds then start seizures and control loss.
“It is surprisingly quick, but it’s not a moment. It’s not a flap. It’s not the pulling of a trigger.”
The expert said that following a manual strangulation death, signs indicating that manner of death remain on the victim’s body including a broken hyoid bone, muscle bleeding, and damaged jugular or carotid artery.
