UPDATE: Postmortem reveals cause of Louis de Jonge’s death

According to Lt Col Mack Mgomezulu, the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster spokesperson, 13-year-old Louis de Jonge’s preliminary postmortem revealed the cause of death was due to an intracranial abscess.

Mgomezulu said a copy of the preliminary postmortem cannot be released as it is still a critical part of the investigation.

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He also said the final postmortem are only expected to be concluded in six to eight weeks.

Benoni-based trauma and specialist surgeon, Dr Shaun Clifford, said he suspects the cause of death was due to a sequence of events. The City Times spoke to Clifford to get an expert’s view on the cause of death.

He believes de Jonge obtained a hematoma (blood clot) due to the fight on September 4.

He said this explanation is probable as previous trauma can cause blood clots that subsequently leads to an abscess.

He explained that a blood clot was possibly then infected and formed an abscess in an enclosed space.

He explained that an abscess forms when there is an excess of fluid or blood in a cavity or space.

“When an abscess ruptures, that fluid flows all over the brain causing bacterial meningitis,” he said.

Clifford also said meningitis causes severe intracranial swelling as the fluid of the abscess has nowhere to go.

He explained that an abscess can be infected and grow substantially in a short period of time.

He said the symptoms will typically include severe headaches, pupil response time, photophobia, drowsiness, visual disturbances or unexplained fever.

“When this happens, you literally stop breathing. You go into a coma,” he said.

Mngomezulu was not available for comment to indicate the status of the investigation.

The City Times spoke to the mother of Louis, Elmarie Bianchina, but she first wanted to consult her advocate before commenting.

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