The bizarre case of Duane Hurley and Daniel Kovarbasich

Medical examiner Dr. Paul Matus performed the autopsy on Hurley's body. He ruled Hurley's death a homicide, and said that he died of "violent means." In listing Hurley's numerous injuries, Dr. Matus said in his report—to which he would later testify—that Hurley had been struck in the head and face three times with a blunt object and that any one of the head wounds could be considered potentially fatal. Matus, who also examined Hurley's body at the scene, stated that he had turned the body over at one point and had observed a stab wound that appeared to have gone through Hurley's heart. Believing that Hurley had been struck in the head while in the bedroom, Matus indicated that he was surprised that Hurley had been able to get up after the blows to his head and make it to the area near the front door where he died. It appeared that Hurley's head wounds, which would have caused respiratory failure according to Matus, had been inflicted while he was turned away from his assailant.

Knife found by police next to Hurley's body

In addition to the blows to the head and face, Matus identified at least 55 stab wounds, some of which had perforated vital organs including the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys. He noted that many of the stab wounds were not bloody, which suggested that Hurley was dead prior to those wounds being inflicted.

Matus also noted a lack of defensive wounds, except for a broken fingernail. In other words, it did not appear that Hurley had put up much of a fight with his assailant.