Official Cause of Death
Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was fatally shot in her Louisville apartment on March 13, 2020. The Jefferson County coroner ruled her death a homicide, citing gunshot wounds. The official cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, with her heart and lungs among the organs struck.
Autopsy and Ballistic Details
The autopsy report documented eight gunshot wounds. Forensic analysis indicated that at least one shot entered from the front, consistent with officers entering the apartment. Other shots were described as back wounds. Ballistic evidence matched the officers' service weapons. The report noted no drugs were found in her system at the time of death.
Legal and Investigative Outcomes
Louisville Metro Police officers executed a search warrant at Taylor's apartment. No contraband was found. One officer, Brett Hankison, was indicted by a Kentucky grand jury on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for firing shots that endangered neighbors. No officers were charged directly in Taylor's death. The incident led to reforms in no-knock warrant policies. For details, see the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.
