A .25-caliber round was recovered from Travis’s head. The autopsy confirmed the bullet entered near the brow and lodged in the cheek. A point of intense debate during the trial was the of this injury. Dr. Horn concluded that the stabbing and throat-slitting occurred while Travis was still alive and conscious, whereas the gunshot likely occurred near the end of the struggle or even after death, as there was minimal hemorrhaging in the brain tissue—a sign that the heart had already stopped pumping effectively. Defensive Wounds: The Fight for Life

This post contains graphic descriptions of traumatic injuries and autopsy findings. Reader discretion is advised.

Moderate decomposition (bloating and skin slippage) due to discovery days after the murder.

The case drew widespread media attention due to its brutal nature and the complexities of the investigation and trial. Some controversies surrounding the case include:

Forensic pathologists use the term "overkill" to describe violence that exceeds the amount needed to cause death. Travis was incapacitated within seconds of the first throat or chest wound. But the autopsy proves the attack continued.