Autopsy: AMA Pilot Shot at Extremely Close Range

The Head of the Papua Regional Police Bhayangkara Hospital, Commissioner Dr. Sebastian Romi, stated that forensic examination results confirm AMA airline pilot Nicholas Gosselin died from a gunshot wound fired at an extremely close range. “The examination results show the victim suffered an entry gunshot wound on the left cheek consistent with the characteristics of a contact gunshot wound, meaning the muzzle of the weapon was perpendicular and pressed against the skin surface,” said Sebastian in Jayapura on Saturday. He explained the bullet trajectory entered through the left cheek and exited around the right ear, causing severe damage to the facial bones and the base of the skull. In addition to the gunshot wound, the forensic team also found several injuries caused by blunt force trauma, including open wounds on the head, forehead, and right ear, as well as fractures to the upper and lower jawbones. To determine the cause of death, the medical team conducted a radiological examination (X-ray) which showed a fracture at the base of the skull. According to Sebastian, the examination was carried out through an external examination supported by radiological imaging without an internal autopsy. “From these results, it is known that the entry and exit trajectory of the bullet caused severe damage to the base of the skull, resulting in the victim dying very quickly (sudden death),” he said. Following the forensic examination, the body of Nicholas Gosselin was handed over to the AMA airline in the early hours of Saturday to be flown to Jakarta before being repatriated to the United States for burial.