Kenneka Jenkins, the 19-year-old Chicago woman found in a hotel freezer on September 10, died from hypothermia, the Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled Friday.
The Chicago Tribune reported that alcohol intoxication and the use of topiramate, a drug used to treat migraines and epilepsy, were listed as contributing factors in the teen’s death.
The medical examiner’s office noted that the drug can cause “dizziness, impaired memory, impaired concentration, poor coordination, confusion, and impaired judgment.” Despite the findings, Jenkins’ family claimed she was not prescribed topiramate, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The medical examiner’s office also said the teen’s blood alcohol level was 0.112. Tests for various “date rape” drugs came back negative, the local paper wrote.
Authorities wrote the following in a report obtained by DNAinfo:
“There is no evidence, per the police investigation, that Ms. Jenkins was forced to consume the alcohol or the drug. There is no evidence of another person in the vicinity of the kitchen with the decedent and there is no evidence of an altercation or interaction with another individual in the time immediately prior to demise. There was no other evidence of external or internal trauma due to physical abuse.”
CrimeOnline reported Thursday that Jenkins’ mother, Tereasa Martin, continues to demand answers from authorities. Surveillance cameras supposedly caught Jenkins walking into the kitchen. However, Martin accused hotel staff of withholding crucial footage from the night in question to avoid bad publicity.
ORIGINAL Story: HOTEL HORROR: Employees find missing 19-year-old girl’s body in walk-in freezer
“It’s all about money. They want to make money. Show me the tape and you can make all the money you want,” she said.
“Show me the tape of my child walking in there. Show me how did my child get in that freezer. That’s all I’m asking.”
The outraged mother also called on the FBI to take over the investigation.
Jenkins was laid to rest on September 30.
[Featured Image: Facebook/Kenneka Jenkins]
