Alameda County Coroner's Bureau
Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/Coroner

2901 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 382-3000

Coroner Investigator's Report
NAME OF DECEASED (LAST, FIRST MIDDLE)

TENTAHVE I

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LAMENDOLA, Christina Angelina

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REPORTED BY

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Aaron Haskins

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2017-00540
REPORTED BY PHONE

REPORTING AGENCY

INVESTIGATOR

CALL DATE AND TIME

CASE TYPE

GOGNA, Anthony

2/11/2017 1341

Removal Case

DATE OF BIRTH

GENDER

2/11/2017 1320

2/10/1979

38 Years

EYE.COLOR

HAIR' COLOR'

OCCUPATION'

Brown

Brown

Homemaker

WITT

REFERENCE NUMBER

Alameda County Sheriff's Office-ETS

DATE AND TIME OF DEATH

HITT

CASE NUMBER

UNIDENTIFIED

AGE

Female

RACE

MARITAL STATUS

Hispanic

Never Married

VET

EMPLOYER

Preliminary Summary:

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LOCA I IUN Ur Ut:A I H

LUC TYPE

Santa Rita Jail

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COUNTY

5325 Broder Blvd., Dublin, CA, 94568

Alameda

tDeath Certificate Signed By

Manner

Accident

Cause A

Cardiac arrhythmia and arrest

Interval

Minutes

Cause B

Acute methamphetamine intoxication

Interval

Minutes

Cause C

Interval

Cause D

Interval

Other
Significant
· Conditions

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Other

ADDRESS (STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP)

Chronic pulmonary hypertension with severe cardiac sequelae.

LEGALNEXT ·OF KIN

RELATIONSHIP

TELEPHONE NO.

NOTIFIED BY

METHOD

DATE AND TIME

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IDENTIFICATION METHOD

DATE AND TIME

Finger Prints

2/17/2017 0000

.LOCATION OF INCIDENT

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Jail

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ADDRESS (STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP}

COUNTY

5325 Broder Blvd., Dublin, CA, 94568

Alameda

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INVESTIGATING AGENCY

DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT

INV AGENCY PHONE NUMBER

OFFICER

Alameda County Sheriffs Office-ETS
FUNERAL HOME

BODY RELEASE TO FUNERAL HOME ON

TRI-CITY CREMATION & FUNERAL
SERVICE

2/15/20171517

Full Autopsy

Partial Autopsy

Inspection

Yes
Coroner Investigator's Report - Page 1 of 2

Record Review

Inspection w/Specimen

EXAM BY

PAUL W. HERRMANN

 Alameda County Sh eri:frs Office
Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner
Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oa ks C t.,
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 382-3000 I (510) 382-3033 (fax)
Investigator Narrative
Decedent:
Case Number:
Investigator:

LAMENDOLA, Christina Angelina

2017-00540
Anthony Gogna

l?irst Call Information:
On Saturday, February 11 , 2017, about 1330 hours, Sergeant A. Haskins called and reported the death of
Christina Lamendola. Sergeant Haskins told me Lamendola was a 38 year old female who died in the
Out Patient Housing Unit at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Lamendola had a long medical history and had
been staying in Cell 5 by herself. Lamendola was talking to Doctor Molotorisc when she collapsed.
Alameda County Fire Engine #17 arrived and pronounced death at 1320 hours.

SergeantN. Gonzalgo and Lt. M. Ibarra were notified of the death. (AG#1303)
Medical Summary:
According to medical records from Valley Care Medical Center, on February 4, 2017, about 2044 hours,
Lamendola had a chief complaint of, "feeling short of breath because of the air freshener in the police
car." At that time her breathing was even and unlabored. Lamendola had a past medical history of
· congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Lamendola was cleared for incarceration.
According to medical records from the California Forensic Medical Group, Lamendola had congestive
heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. On February 11, 2017, Lamendola took her morning
medication. Lamendola's current medical records, intake screening, and medication chart was included in
the case file. (AG#l303)

Description of the Death/ Injury Scene:
Lamendola died as an outpatient at Santa Rita Jail. (AG#l303)
Body Identification:
I compared the decedent to a photograph on Lamendola's California Driver's License (
and they matched. (AG#1303)
On February 15, 2017, I (Henshaw) received a fax from Central Identification Bureau for a fingerprint
comparison of Lamendola. The comparison of fingerprints from the decedent matched the fingerprints on
file with the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, Personal File Number
, associated with the name
Christina Angelina Lamendola (DOB 2/10/1979). (JDHl 886)

Next of Kin Investigation:
On Saturday, February 11 , 2017, about 1845 hours, I (Lorenzana) searched Accurint ( a search tool used to
locate a person's relatives) in an attempt to locate Lamendola's next of kin. Several people were listed as
possible relatives.

 2

Alameda County Sheriff's Office
Gregory J. Ahern, Sheriff/ Coroner
Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct.,
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 382-3000 I (510) 382-3033 (fax)
I called a
who said Lamendola was an old friend of the family and did not care to hear
anything about Lamendola. I notified
of Larnendola's death and asked if she knew of any family
members for Lamendola.
said she did not and was not going to give me any information as she was
too old to talk to me.
I called another person listed on the report named
.
identified herself as an
said
estranged Aunt and said she had not had contact with Lamendola's family in about 30 years.
was Lamendola's step mother and said she was still married to Lamendola's father,
and provided me
phone number.
said Lamendola was possibly married
from what she could remember and had children that had been legally adopted by one of
relatives.
said Lamendola's mother
(
) may possibly still be alive and may reside
in
(No results in Accurint for
I called
and attempted notified him of Lamendola's death and the Coroner's Bureau involvement
in the case.
took the phone from
and told him not to talk to me.
said they were too
old to deal with this and said her daughter,
would call me when she returned from a
concert.
asked for my contact information and I provided her the main number to the Coroner's
Bureau. (RLl 702)
On February 12, 2017, about 0108 hours,
called and I explained the Coroner's Bureau
involvement to her and the need for
to select a mortuary, while on speakerphone with
said they understood and would call mortuaries for pricing on dispositions. (RLl 702)
Other Agency Reports:
Refer to Alameda County Sheriffs Office Report# 17-002470. A copy of the report was placed in the
case file. (AG#1303)
Property and Evidence:
Lamendola's belongings which were collected at the time of her arrest was collected and later processed
into property at the Coroner's Bureau (See Receipt #37955). (AG#l303)
Coroners Fees:
The Coroner fees are $400 for body removal and preparation.
On February 24, 2017, the Coroner fees were paid in full. (AG#1303)
Investigative Details:
On February 4, 2017, Lamendola was
After her arrest Lamendola was taken to
Valley Care Medical Center and was cleared for incarceration. Lamendola was then taken to Santa Rita
Jail and after her medical screening she was placed in the Out Patient Housing Unit.
On February 11, 2017, about 1550 hours, Deputy Henshaw and I (Gogna) arrived to the death scene. As I
walked into the cell I saw Lamendola was face-up on the cell floor with medical therapy in place. There

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Alameda County Sheriff's Office
Gregory J. Ahern, Sher iff/ Coroner
Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Ct.,
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 382-3000 / (510) 382-3033 (fax)

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were no signs of foul play or trauma. Rigor mortis was absent and livor mortis was consistent with the
position she was found in.

In the cell there did not appear to be any unused medication or illegal dmgs. There were no letters of
intent or after life instructions.
Lamendola was moved to a gurney and into the Coroner's van for transportation back to the Coroner's
Bureau.
About 1700 hours, we returned to the Coroner's Bureau and processed Lamendola into the morgue.
Deputy Henshaw took intake photographs at that time.
On February 14, 2017, Coroner's Pathologist Doctor P. Herrmann performed a full autopsy on the
Lamendola. Doctor Herrmann deferred the cause of death pending a toxicology exam.
On February 15, 2017, Lamendola's body was released to Tri-City Cremation and Funeral Service.
signed the mortuary's release form.
On March 6, 2017, the toxicology report was returned and it revealed methamphetamine and
amphetamine in Lamendola's system.
On March 13, 2017, Dr. Herrmann gave a cause of death of, "Cardiac arrhythmia and arrest, due to acute
methamphetamine intoxication." Dr. Hermann listed, "Chronic pulmonary hypertension with severe
cardiac sequelae", as other significant conditions.
On March 31, 2017, I checked the Consolidated Records Information System and it revealed Lamendola
. (AG#1303)

Findings:
On March 31, 2017, I (Gogna) reviewed this case to prepare it for closure. Upon reviewing the cause of
death, autopsy protocol, case file, and other documents associated with this case, I find the manner of
death in this case to be an accident. The levels of drugs in the specimens were not at levels that would
indicate suicide and were consistent with a person who abused drugs. No letters of intent or after life
instrnctions were found at the scene.
When Lamendola sought medical attention from Doctor Molotorisc she did not approach him stating she
was attempting to harm herself. (AG#1303)
Supervisor Review:
On Saturday, April 1, 2017, I (Sgt. Gonzalgo) reviewed this case and found it to be complete. I concur
with the findings and approve this case for closure. (NLG# 1171)

 Alameda County Sheriff's Office
Coroner's Bureau
2901 Peralta Oaks Court, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94605-5319

Gregory]. Ahern} Sheriff
Director of Emergency Services
Coroner - Marshal

ME MO R A N D U M
DATE:

February 14, 2017

FROM:

Paul W. Herrmann, M.D.

TO:

Case File 2017-00540

SUBJECT:

AUTOPSY PROTOCOL

Autopsy performed upon the body of Christina A. Lamendola at the
Coroner's Bureau, 2901 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, California,
on February 14, 2017, at 11:00 a.m.
AUTOPSY FINDINGS
1)

CARDIOMEGALY WITH LEFT AND RIGHT VENTRICULAR
HYPERTROPHY (CLINICAL HISTORY OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION
WITH ENLARGEMENT OF THE RIGHT ATRIUM AND RIGHT AURICLE
OF THE HEART) .

2)

CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS.

3)

CONGESTION OF THE LIVER, SPLEEN AND KIDNEYS.

4)

CEREBRAL EDEMA, MILD .

5)

A PLASTIC BAG CONTAINING TWO HARD ROCK OBJECTS, PRESENT
WITHIN THE PANTIES OVER THE PUBIC ESCUTCHEON.

6)

FEMORAL BLOOD SAMPLE:
A) D-METHAMPHETAMINE 1.09 MG/L
B) D-AMPHETAMINE
0.13 MG/L.

CAUSE OF DEATH:

CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA AND ARREST DUE TO ACUTE
METHAMPHETAMINE INTOXICATION.
Other conditions: CHRONIC PULMONARY
HYPERTENSION WITH SEVERE CARDIAC SEQUELAE.

cc:

District Attorney
Investigation's Bureau
Tina Moore-Walker

 Page 2
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

1

Body of CHRISTINA A. LAMENDOLA

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION
The body is that of a well-developed adult female appearing

2
3

consistent with the stated age of 38 years, weighing 160 pounds

4

and measuring 64 inches.

5

that is long and wavy.

6

are brown.

7

petechiae are present.

8

is minimal rigidity of the neck, and complete rigidity of the

9

jaw and extremities.

The hair is a reddish blonde color
It is darker near the scalp.

The irides

The conjunctivae are slightly congested but no
The teeth are in good condition.

There

Purple lividity is present oh the back and

10

is also present in the supraclavicular areas and in the mid-

11

face.

12

13
14

15
16

17

The body is dressed in the following items of CLOTHING:
1) An upper strap-like garment, white in color, which has
been cut down the middle.
2) A pair of panties which are in place.

There is slight

yellow staining at the crotch area.
There is the following evidence of MEDICAL TREATMENT:

18

1)

EKG pads are present on each forearm and on each leg.

19

2)

A resuscitative electrode pad is present on the left

20

side of the chest and another is present over the anterior right

21

shoulder.

 Page 3
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

3)

22
23

4) An intracath is taped i:r:i. place i·n the right antecubi tal
fossa.
5) A fresh needle puncture mark is present in the left

26

27

antecubital fossa.
6) An endotracheal tube is clamped in place near the

28
29

Two hospital-type identification bands are present on

the left wrist.

24
25

Body of CHRISTINA A. LAMENDOLA

mouth.

30

Paper bags are secured over the hands and wrists.

31

TATTOOS:

32

A number of tattoos are present.

33

There is a punctate tattoo, just simply a green dot, below

34

35

the right eye on the right side of the face.
There is a tattoo of a musical staff on the anterior aspect

36

of the right upper arm with some musical notes and a few hearts

37

present on it.

38

aspect of the right forearm.

39

aspect of the right forearm which says "Only Girl In The World."

40

There are tattoos of numerous stars on the anterior aspect of

41

the right shoulder along with a butterfly.

42
43

There is a tattoo of a diamond on the anterior
There is a tattoo on the ulnar

There is a tattoo of a revolver on the left ankle and on a
portion of the left foot are tattoos of stars.

 Page 4
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

44

Body of CHRISTINA A. LAMENDOLA

When the bags are removed from the hands, the hands are

45

shown to be free of trauma.

46

They are dark in color.

There are false nails bilaterally.

47

The earlobes bilaterally show two cosmetic piercings.

48

There is the following evidence of BLUNT TRAUMA:

49

There is no evidence of recent trauma to the face or head.

50

There are a few scattered punctate scars over the forehead and

51

the bridge of the nose shows a transverse 3/8 inch scar.

52

There is no evidence of trauma to the neck.

53

The chest shows no trauma except for a few semicircular

54

abrasions in the midsternal area consistent with cardiopulmonary

55

resuscitation.

56

masses.

57

The breasts are well formed and reveal no

When the panties are removed a twisted piece of a plastic

58

bag is present over the anterior genitalia.

59

substance is present within the bag.

60

Rock hard white

There is no evidence of trauma to the abdomen.

61

depigmented striae are present on the abdomen.

62

trauma to the genitalia.

63

abnor~ality.

64
65

Numerous

There is no

The vaginal orifice shows no

The right upper extremity shows no evidence of recent
trauma.

The fingernails show no trauma.

 Page 5
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

66

Body of CHRISTINA A. LAMENDOLA

The left upper extremity including the hand shows no

67

trauma.

68

No needle puncture-type scars are seen over accessible veins.
There are several pigmented scars over the right knee that

69

70

The nail beds are clean in appearance on the left hand.

are surgical in appearance.

71

The right lower extremity shows numerous scars on the leg.

72

Approximately 3 inches below the knee there is a vertical 1 inch

73

scar.

74

discontinuous scar measuring approximately 3 inches in length.

75

There are three to four slightly pigmented scars present on the

76

dorsum of the right foot.
The left lower extremity shows no evidence of recent

77
78

In the midportion of the leg there is an irregular linear

trauma.

79

There is no evidence of trauma to the back or buttocks.

80

INTERNAL EXAMINATION
Y-SHAPED THORACOABDOMINAL AND INTERMASTOIDAL INCISIONS are

81
82

83

made.
HEAD:

There is no evidence of trauma to the scalp.

The

84

subcutaneous tissue, galea and skull show no abnormalities.

85

external surface of the brain shows very slight gyral

86

flattening.

87

weighs 1380 grams.

The unci are unremarkable in appearance.

The

The brain

Cut sections of the brain show no internal

 Page 6
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

Body of CHRISTINA A. LAMENDOLA

88

abnormality.

89

The base of the skull shows no abnormality.

90

The vessels of the base of the brain are normal.

NECK ORGANS:

The soft tissues of the neck and the cervical

91

spine are unremarkable.

92

and hyoid bone are intact.

93

endotracheal tube is in its proper position.

94
95

CHEST:
side.

The laryngeal and tracheal cartilages
The airway is patent.

The

There are several fractures to the ribs on the left

The left third, fourth and fifth ribs are fractured

·96

anterolaterally associated with minimal hemorrhage.

97

right side, the fifth and sixth ribs are fractured

98

anterolaterally with no hemorrhage whatsoever.

99

blood present in the pleural cavity.

100

There is no

The lungs fill the pleural

spaces.

101

LUNGS:

102

weighs 550 grams.

103

abnormality.

104

are unremarkable.

105

prominent congestion.

106

On the

HEART:

The left lung weighs 450 grams.

The right lung

The pulmonary arteries on cut section show no

They do not show any atherosclerosis.

The bronchi

The lungs on cut section show diffuse
No other abnormality is seen.

The pericardial sac contains a small amount of

107

clear yellow fluid.

The external surface of the heart shows

108

marked enlargement.

The heart weighs 510 grams.

109

right ventricles both appear hypertrophied.

The left and

The coronary

 Page 7
Sherif f--Coroner
Alameda County

Body of CHRISTINA A. LAMENDOLA

110

arteries on ·cut section show no atherosclerosis.

111

coronary artery is somewhat dominant.

112

thickening of both the left and right ventricles.

113

dilated.

114

ventricle 11-12 mm.

115

enlarged and the left atrium shows no abnormality.

116

pulmonary artery shows no abnormality.

117

abnormality.

118

septum is normal.

.119
120
121
122

LIVER:

color.

128
129

The.right atrium and auricle are markedly
The

The valves show no

The foramen ovale is closed.

The interventricular

The descending thoracic and abdominal aorta

The abdominal fat is 2 inches at the umbilicus.

The organs are in their normal positions.

124

127

They are not

The left ventricular wall measures 13-14 mm, the right

ABDOMEN:

smooth.

126

The cardiac chambers show

shows no abnormality.

123

125

The right

The liver weighs 1850 grams.

The parenchyma is acutely congested and maroon-brown in
The gallbladder and extrahepatic ducts are unremarkable.

SPLEEN:
smooth.

The capsule is

The spleen weighs 225 grams.

The capsule is

The parenchyma is firm and congested.

PANCREAS:

The pancreas is of normal size and retains a

lobular architecture.
ADRENAL GLANDS:

The adrenals are equal in size.

130

cortices are thin, bright yellow.

131

unremarkable.

The medullae are

The

 Page 8
Sheriff-Coroner
Alameda County

132

Body of CHRISTINA A. LAMENDOLA

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT:

The mucosa of the esophagus and

133

stomach shows no abnormalities.

134

contain a small amount of opaque brown fluid.

135

contains creamy yellow bile stained fluid.

136

is unremarkable.

137

The stomach and duodenum
The small bowel

The large intestine

The rectum contains solid fecal material.

GENITOURINARY TRACT:

The kidneys are equal in size and

138

weigh 180 grams each.

The capsules strip with ease.

139

cortical surfaces are smooth.

140

congested.

141

normal positions.

142

mucosa shows no abnormalities.

143

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS:

The

The parenchyma is firm and

The renal vessels, pelves and ureters are in their
The urinary bladder is empty.

The bladder

The external genitalia and vagina

144

show no abnormality.

145

abnormality.

146

color. · The tubes and ovaries are present bilaterally.

147

ovary shows the presence of a large corpus albicantia but no

148

corpus luteum is present.

149

The uterus including the cervix shows no

The endometrium is very thin and pale yellow in

There is mild osteoarthritis of the lower thoracic spine.

150
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153
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155

One

Paul
PWH/j km

 CENTRAL VALLEY
TOXICOLOGY, INC.
TOXICOLOGY NUMBER: CVT-l 7-2523

Case Name:
Lamendola,

Christina
A.
19 ml femoral blood labeled "Lamendola, Christina; 2017-00540; 02/14/2017"

Specimen Description:
Delivered by

Tricor

Date

16-Feb-17

Received by

Bill Posey

Request: Complete Drug Screen

Agency Case# 2017-00540

Requesting Agency

Report To
Alameda Co. Coroner's Office
Attn: Dr. Herrmann
2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., 2nd Floor
Oakland CA 94605

Alameda Co. Coroner's Office
Attn: Acct's Payable
2901 Peralta Oaks Ct., 2nd Floor
Oakland CA 94605

Date 16-Feb-l 7

RESULTS

Specimen: Femoral Blood Sample

Complete Drug Screen: Methamphetamine detected.
No other common acidic, neutral or basic drugs detected.
No Ethyl Alcohol detected.
d-Methamphetamine·= 1.09 mg/L
cl-Amphetamine
= 0.13 mg/L

Blood Methamphetamine Ranges
Effective Level:
(0.01 - 0.05 mg/L)
Potentially Toxic:
(0.2 - 5 mg/L)

Blood Amphetamine Ranges
Effective Level: (0.02 - 0.15 mg/L)
Potentially Toxic:
(0.2 mg/L)

B.L. POSEY
S.N. KIMBLE
Directors

1~~

1580 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, California 93611

March0l,2017

Phone (559) 323-9940
Fax (559) 323-7502