Autopsy Shows Killer Drugged and Smothered Kletzky

NEW YORK - The New York City Medical Examiner has officially ruled that the death of 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky was homicide Wednesday, after autopsy reports show Kletzky was given a combination of drugs before he was smothered and killed.

Based on autopsy and toxicology testing, the medical examiner reports Kletzky’s death was caused by “intoxication by the combined effects of cyclobenzaprine (muscle relaxant),
quetiapine (antipsychotic), hydrocodone (pain medication), and acetaminophen (Tylenol), followed by smothering.”

Authorities had previously stated the cause of death was by Kletzky being smothered by a towel, based on a confession given by suspected killer, Levi Aron.

Police continue to search the home of Aron, and ABC news reports the medical report as being a crucial step in the case.

District Attorney Charles Hynes assures the family of the victim that the killer will be brought to justice.

"We are gathering, with the police, every piece of forensic evidence necessary to support our case…I wanted to make a personal commitment that every resource of this office will be used to make sure the issue is resolved in a way that is appropriate,” Hynes states.

A two-day search for Kletzky ended last week Wednesday when surveillance footage led police to raid the apartment of Aron and discovered Kletzky’s dismembered body in the freezer. The boy’s other remains were later found in a suitcase tossed in a dumpster a few miles away.

Besides the boy being drugged, investigators have also discovered that Kletzky may have been tied up, and there is evidence that he tried to fight his attacker in the moments before his death.

Commissioner Raymond Kelly states that Aron had scratches on his arms, wrists and elsewhere entailing that "there was some kind of struggle."

Commissioner Kelly adds that marks on the boy's remains could have been caused by restraints.