Kunâ A
Kunâ A (Pr. "Woman A") is the preserved remains of a young woman who had died in 1632 AN. The remains were discovered in an unlabeled storage container at Raynor's Keep, which were uncovered in 1719 AN and immediately became the subject of a secretive investigation over the following two years. While her name and origin remain unknown, forensic analysis confirmed her participation as Pseudo-Elwynn in the Konungstekja of 1632 and immediate death thereafter, triggering an intense debate within the Ministry of Rites as to its legal implications vis-a-vis the marriage contract between Kaiseress Noor and King Noah of Elwynn.
Provenance before 1719
Analysis of the Remains
General Analysis
The coroner reported that the remains belonged to a woman of about 20 years of age at the time of her death. She was 188 centimetres tall, with a slim body but with pronounced breasts. She was blue-eyed and her hair, which was kept long, was blond.
The external examination revealed a well-preserved body. External damage consistent with the cryopreservation process was observed, including discolouration, tissue fragmentation, and ice crystal formation. In addition, visible ligature marks were noted around the victim's neck. Evidence of sexual activity, including semen in the vaginal cavity, remained present despite the cryopreservation process.
The internal examination began with the heart. The heart displayed signs of cryopreservation, with ice crystal formation present. No significant abnormalities or signs of cardiovascular disease were observed. The lungs show evidence of cryopreservation, with ice crystal formation present. No significant abnormalities or signs of respiratory distress or disease were observed. The gastrointestinal tract displayed no abnormalities or signs of trauma. The presence of semen in the vaginal cavity suggested sexual activity prior to death (and possibly also afterwards). No signs of forced entry were observed, despite the cryopreservation process. The brain and spinal cord showed signs of cryopreservation, with ice crystal formation present. Breasts were enlarged and engorged with milk with no signs of a recent pregnancy. No gross abnormalities were detected.
The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to manual strangulation, consistent with the ligature marks observed on the victim's neck. The presence of semen in the vaginal cavity supported the occurrence of sexual activity prior to (and possibly also after) death, despite the cryopreservation process. The combined effects of the hallucinogenic drugs, opioids, and asphyxiation contributed to the victim's demise.
Based on the circumstances and autopsy findings, the manner of death was classified as homicide. The cryopreservation process had caused external damage and preserved certain substances, allowing for their detection during the autopsy.
Toxicological Analysis
The toxicological analysis detected the presence of high levels of hallucinogenic and opioid drugs in the victim's system, consistent with that of the so-called Idunn's Apple drug cocktail. This allowed the contents of the victim's stomach to be identified as the partially digested remains of a substantial number of Idunn's Apples.
The examination also detected the presence of Metoclopramide and Domperidone, drugs used for inducing lactation, as well as high levels of Prolactin, a hormone that stimulates milk production.
Genetic Analysis
Genetic analysis performed on the victim identified a genetic profile consistent with the Froyalanish population with no markers of outbreeding with the local Eastern Benacian population, recent genetic affinity with Njáll Hámundarson (likely father and maternal grandfather), and an overall inbreeding coefficient of 44%.
Genetic analysis performed on the semen identified the genetic profile of Noah Hallbjörnsson Esposito, a known individual. No other genetic profiles were identified among the semen.
Legal Implications
Following the Auspicious Occassion in 1651, Shirerithian authorities had reanalysed the marriage between Kaiseress Noor and King Noah of Elwynn, and annulled it in 1656 for reason that Noah was already married to Pseudo-Elwynn by way of the Konungstekja ceremony. It was believed in 1651 that the same Pseudo-Elwynn that Noah had married in 1632 was still alive. With the discovery of Kunâ A, and the determination that she had died immediately after the Konungstekja caused the Ministry of Rites to reassess the legal situation.
If Noah, indeed, had married Kunâ A in a legally recognized marriage during the Konungstekja, and she had died immediately thereafter, then Noah's condition at the same of marriage with Noor would be one of a widower, allowing him to marry her and have the marriage recognized under Shirerithian law. In 1656, the Shirerithian judex system determined that Noah had remained married with Pseudo-Elwynn from 1631 and onwards, in the absence of contrary evidence. Now, in 1719, it became likely that that judgment would have to be set aside, as all evidence indicated that Kunâ A had died prior to Noah's marriage with Noor.
This was a highly controversial turn of events, and the Ministry of Rites was uncomfortable dealing with it. In the end, the matter ended up with the Kaiseress Salome herself, who had to adjudge and declare the legal status.
