A mortician has answered why Charlie Kirk didn't appear to have an exit wound after he was shot.
The 31-year-old conservative figure was shot in the neck while addressing the crowd, leading to an immediate national outcry and a manhunt to capture the suspect.
Shocking videos of the moment went viral, as the activist was seen bleeding from his neck in front of the crowd at Utah Valley University.
Now an expert is diving into the questions that people raised following the shocking scenes.
Why Didn't Charlie Kirk Have An Exit Wound?
Lauren the Mortician on YouTube answered the question, noting that the answer is "stranger than you think."
Noting that the truth was uncovered in the autopsy room, Lauren said that the "body keeps the receipts."
Lauren cited a spokesperson, Andrew Kolvet, who said that the surgeon was "stunned".
Noting that in typical cases like this, the bullet should have exited the body, the coroner found it "lodged just beneath the skin."
So there wasn't an exit wound simply because the bullet didn't exit the body.
Lauren noted that while this is awful, it could have potentially saved the lives of those standing behind the tent.
What Happens In The Autopsy?
Lauren explained that step one of the autopsy is an external examination where they photograph the body and document every distinguishable feature.
They will also examine the gunshot wound.
Step two is evidence collection.
This typically involves clothing being bagged, projectiles being recovered, and fingernails being swabbed.
Step number three is an internal examination where organs are removed, weighed, and examined.
They will also trace the bullet track to see exactly where it hit, and in Kirk's case, the bullet would have been removed and preserved for evidence.
Step four is toxicology samples, which include looking at blood, urine, and vitreous fluid in the eyes.
Lauren said that even when the cause of death is obvious, all of these steps are still carried out to get a thorough report.
Then step five is to review outside records, such as police reports, and in this case, video evidence.
An autopsy report can take weeks for results, and this is largely due to the toxicology report, due to a number of factors, such as low staffing and a backlog of cases.
Kirk’s Memorial at State Farm Stadium
Charlie Kirk’s funeral service, held on September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, was attended by more than 60,000 people.
The memorial blurred the lines between a political rally and a religious service, with attendees wearing red, white, and blue MAGA hats, and “Freedom” shirts like the one Charlie had worn in his final moments.
Erika, standing out in a white suit paired with a black top, delivered an emotional promise to her late husband. “I love you Charlie, baby. And I will make you proud,” she said.
President Donald Trump, who attended the memorial, posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In his speech, Trump praised Kirk's faith, recalling how the late man had called his decision to become a Christian in fifth grade the “most important decision of his life”.
“The answer to hate is not hate,” Erika said during the service. “The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love - love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”