An autopsy report released last week determined a Saluda man died from a gunshot wound to his face and neck.
Joshua William Lindsay, 23, was originally thought to have killed himself when he was found dead on Feb. 22 at 2643 Macedonia Road in Saluda. After receiving conflicting statements, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the case as a murder and charged Brandon Cody-Lee Case, 23, also of Saluda, with first-degree murder.
The autopsy report, released Thursday, May 24 in Henderson County, states Lindsay died as a result of a large caliber, non-exiting gunshot wound to the face and neck at an indeterminate range. The bullet entered his left jaw and the trajectory was from front to back, to the right and down, according to the report.
Lindsay’s body also showed signs of blunt trauma, the reports states, with a laceration and abrasions on his forehead, his nose and left cheek. Lindsay also had abrasions on his left hand and contusions on his lower extremities.
An investigative report that accompanied the autopsy said Lindsay had been staying at a lake house with friends and was found in a bedroom. A toxicology report showed that Lindsay’s blood alcohol level was 0.12 at the time of his death.
Case is being held at the Henderson County Detention Facility on a $500,000 bond. Case’s next court date is scheduled for June 25 in Henderson County.