Jul 20, 2008 12:20 am US/Eastern
Officials Tentatively ID Body Found In Apartment
Medical Examiner: Woman's 'abdomen had been opened with a sharp weapon'
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner has now tentatively identified the woman who was found dead inside of the Wilkinsburg apartment of another woman, who claimed to police to have purchased an infant.
The Medical Examiner's Office identifies her as 18-year-old Kia Johnson.
According to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner, the woman had been pregnant and her uterus was cut open with some type of weapon.
"Her abdomen had been opened with a sharp weapon," said Dr. Williams. "The uterus had been opened. The uterus appeared to be what we say is gravid, meaning there had been a baby there."
Dr. Williams added, "I do not have a specific cause of death at this point. Clearly, it is a homicide."
The entire investigation began earlier this week when Andrea Curry-Demus, 38, of Wilkinsburg, was arrested after being taken to West Penn Hospital with a newborn. She claimed to be the mother of the infant.
Through tests, doctors later determined that she was not the mother of the child. Investigators say Curry-Demus later told police that she had bought the baby for $1,000 from a woman she called "Tina."
Curry-Demus is now facing charges of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of the child. She remains in the Allegheny County Jail on $10,000 bond and awaiting a mental examination.
On Friday, detectives discovered the woman's body in the bedroom of Curry-Demus' third-floor apartment on Ella Street.
At a Saturday afternoon press conference, Dr. Williams revealed little detail regarding whether the victim was alive or dead at the time the baby was stolen from her.
"Obviously, there is a certain window of opportunity," he said. "The baby is dependent on the mother being alive. How long that window of opportunity is, I can't say exactly. The baby was in some degree of distress."
Also, at the press conference, officials revealed a possible way that the woman may have been incapacitated.
"There is some evidence that there were drugs at the scene," said Dr. Williams.
Also, police said that they have not ruled out the possibility that one or more people may have been involved in the murder.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti reports that forensic unit members have also taken fingerprints off of the duct tape that was found bound around the hands of the victim.
Meanwhile, officials say that despite having initial difficulties, the baby boy is doing fine.
Stay with KDKA for the latest developments.
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