A singular case of complex suicide by hanging with hesitation marks by axe.

Abstract

We present a case of complex suicide concerning a 55-year-old man who hanged himself using a rope anchored to a beam on the terrace of his apartment. Multiple parallel linear wounds were observed on his head. At the crime scene, an axe stained with blood and hair was found resting against the wall adjacent to the stairs leading to the upper floor. Forensic investigations identify the cause of death as mechanical asphyxia due to the hanging, in a complex suicide characterized by hesitation marks inflicted on the head with an axe. This specific type of complex suicide has never been described in the literature.