Autopsy: Slain Woman's Skull Fractured
Raleigh, N.C. — Michelle Young was beaten numerous times and suffered a fractured skull when she was killed in early November, according to the autopsy report, which was released Monday.
Young, 29, was found beaten to death in her Wake County home on Nov. 3 with her 2-year-old daughter unharmed by her side. Young was five months pregnant at the time of her death.
The autopsy report shows she died from blunt force trauma to the head after being hit at least 10 times, but it also suggests her killer tried to strangle her before beating her to death. She had injuries to her neck consistent with manual strangulation, the report said.
Several of Young's teeth were knocked out in the attack, and her jaw was broken, according to the autopsy. She also had bruises on both hands and a cut on her left thumb, the report said.
"You've got to think she suffered with the type of injuries described here. It's just a brutal murder," Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said. "You never get accustomed to (murder scenes) no matter how long you do it, but the first thoughts in my mind, did the little girl see this happened?"
Despite the appearance of defensive wounds on her hands and the fact a hair was found in her hand, authorities haven't said what they have learned from the autopsy that might help their investigation.
"There was a struggle, and let me just stop at that," Harrison said.
Authorities have investigated her husband, Jason Young, in the case, but they haven't named him as a suspect.
According to search warrants, Jason Young had a relationship with a woman in Florida for several months before his wife's death. The Youngs also had financial difficulties, and Michelle Young had a sizable life insurance policy, according to search warrants.
Jason Young said he was out of town on a business trip at the time of his wife's death. Authorities said he had refused to cooperate with the investigation.
He and his daughter have moved to western North Carolina to be closer to his family.
Young, 29, was found beaten to death in her Wake County home on Nov. 3 with her 2-year-old daughter unharmed by her side. Young was five months pregnant at the time of her death.
The autopsy report shows she died from blunt force trauma to the head after being hit at least 10 times, but it also suggests her killer tried to strangle her before beating her to death. She had injuries to her neck consistent with manual strangulation, the report said.
Several of Young's teeth were knocked out in the attack, and her jaw was broken, according to the autopsy. She also had bruises on both hands and a cut on her left thumb, the report said.
"You've got to think she suffered with the type of injuries described here. It's just a brutal murder," Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said. "You never get accustomed to (murder scenes) no matter how long you do it, but the first thoughts in my mind, did the little girl see this happened?"
Despite the appearance of defensive wounds on her hands and the fact a hair was found in her hand, authorities haven't said what they have learned from the autopsy that might help their investigation.
"There was a struggle, and let me just stop at that," Harrison said.
Authorities have investigated her husband, Jason Young, in the case, but they haven't named him as a suspect.
According to search warrants, Jason Young had a relationship with a woman in Florida for several months before his wife's death. The Youngs also had financial difficulties, and Michelle Young had a sizable life insurance policy, according to search warrants.
Jason Young said he was out of town on a business trip at the time of his wife's death. Authorities said he had refused to cooperate with the investigation.
He and his daughter have moved to western North Carolina to be closer to his family.
- Reporter: Amanda Lamb
- Photographer: Chad Flowers
- Web Editor: Matthew Burns
RELATED TOPICS: Wake County, Florida Keys Oil Spill
Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
27 Comments
| MOST | Viewed | E-mailed | Discussed | |||
Most Viewed Stories
Most Viewed Videos
Most Viewed Slideshows
| ||||||
| MOST | Viewed | E-mailed | Discussed |
Most E-mailed Stories
Most E-mailed Videos | |||
| MOST | Viewed | E-mailed | Discussed |
Most Discussed Stories
Most Discussed Blog Posts | |||
Multimedia
Key dates in the investigation of Lance Armstrong on charges he used performance-enhancing drugs.
Key events in Iran's relations with the West.
An interactive look at the controversial decision and reversal of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to stop funding breast exams at Planned Parenthood.
Free Car Wash with Every Service-Fred Anderson Kia
Travel NC By Train: Click for Daily Schedules!



![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2012/02/02/10702427/pics_britt53446-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/travel/2012/02/07/10699623/10699623-1328655298-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2012/02/07/10699227/249524-chick11-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/weather/2012/02/02/10679063/mwo_at_tree_line-100x75.jpg)








WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments.
January 23, 2007 12:37 p.m.
January 23, 2007 9:31 a.m.
January 23, 2007 9:14 a.m.
January 23, 2007 8:00 a.m.
Restraining order are worthless, once issued the peroatrator should be forced to wear a tracking device.
January 23, 2007 6:18 a.m.