Police conduct a forensic examination Monday at a palm tree farm in Hallim-eup, Jeju, where the body of Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing for several months, was found. [Yonhap]
Police conduct a forensic examination Monday at a palm tree farm in Hallim-eup, Jeju, where the body of Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing for several months, was found. [Yonhap]

Pyo Chang-won, director of the Pyo Chang-won Institute of Criminal Science, said Tuesday that no clear signs of foul play have been found in the case of Jang Mi-ran, 37, whose body was discovered in Jeju 104 days after she went missing — but cautioned that suicide cannot be confirmed either.

Pyo Chang-won, director of the Pyo Chang-won Institute of Criminal Science, said in an interview with CBS Radio's "Park Seong-tae's News Show" on Tuesday that from a forensic standpoint, no evidence of a physical struggle, third-party presence, or movement of the body had been found at the scene. "From the perspective of profiling and forensic science principles, no assumption or conclusion can be drawn at this stage," he said.

He said it was significant that an on-site examination of the body suggested death by hanging.

"Death by hanging refers to asphyxiation caused by compression of the neck due to gravity, and in the majority of cases it is likely to be judged as a self-inflicted act," Pyo said. He added that while suicide appeared probable from a practical standpoint, other factors that could produce the same result could not be excluded. "It is still too early to draw a definitive conclusion," he said.

Pyo said the National Forensic Service's autopsy and a thorough police forensic investigation must be carried out to establish the cause of death and determine whether a third party was involved, so the findings could be explained to the bereaved family and the public without any remaining doubt.

Jang Mi-ran, 37, who went missing in Jeju. [Provided by the missing person's family]
Jang Mi-ran, 37, who went missing in Jeju. [Provided by the missing person's family]

Particularly, Pyo expressed regret over the inadequate initial search, pointing out that given Jang's clothing, belongings and CCTV footage at the time of her disappearance, investigators should have first considered the possibility that she had traveled on foot.

"If police had not lied about having made contact with her and had continued the search, an early discovery would have been entirely possible — regardless of whether she was still alive," he said.

Pyo was sharply critical of the officer who falsely closed the case, calling it "the equivalent of leaving a fish in the care of a cat" and "a clear criminal act that abused the position, authority and systems of the police."

If you're thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact the Ministry of Health and Welfare's helpline 1393, available 24/7. Please request a translator for English-language services.


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com