Judicial Inquiry into the Death of Stève Jacquelin Juliette - Dr. Pierre Perich: "There are no injuries attributable to violence"

In the context of the judicial inquiry into the death of Stève Jacquelin Juliette following his arrest in January 2023, French expert Dr. Pierre Perich concluded that the stress experienced that day precipitated a fatal cardiac arrest. There were no superficial injuries, but the blows that Stève Jacquelin Juliette allegedly received during his arrest on January 5, 2023, may have contributed to his death. This was stated by Dr. Pierre Perich, a French expert commissioned to conduct a second autopsy on the body of this resident of Goodlands, during his testimony on Friday, May 2, 2025, in the ongoing judicial inquiry at the Pamplemousses court.

Dr. Perich's services were requested by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to clarify the circumstances surrounding Stève Jacquelin Juliette's death. During his testimony, the expert explained the methodology he used to prepare his 34-page report.

The expert noted that the body was in an advanced state of decomposition at the time of his examination. He observed traces left by the first autopsy. "There were no blood infiltrations under the skin. No superficial injuries or signs of violence," Dr. Pierre Perich stated in court.

He then analyzed the report from Dr. Beegun, the physician who treated Stève Jacquelin Juliette upon his admission to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Hospital on the evening of January 5, 2023. According to him, this testimony is crucial because Dr. Beegun administered an opioid antidote, a gesture typically reserved for suspected overdose cases. "That's what we do when we think someone is overdosing," the French expert explained. Dr. Perich also reviewed the report of the first autopsy, conducted by the head of the forensic department, Dr. Sudesh Kumar Gungadin, assisted by forensic doctors Dr. Maxwell Monvoisin and Dr. Prem Chamane. To support his analysis, Dr. Perich included several photographs from this initial examination in his report.

Based on these photographs, he noted the presence of two types of bruises on certain parts of the victim's body—specifically on the lower back, lips, and calves. These appeared to be recent bruises and others in the process of healing. Additionally, he indicated that there were no visible injuries to the testicles, although he noted swelling in the genital region. "There seems to be peripheral edema. Maybe he was struck, but we cannot affirm anything just from a photo," he clarified.

LUNGS SOAKED WITH WATER

Dr. Pierre Perich then outlined what he considers the terminal cause of Stève Jacquelin Juliette's death. According to him, the deceased's lungs weighed between 750 and 800 grams and were saturated with water. He also highlighted several pre-existing conditions: high cholesterol levels, fatty deposits in the brain, and a 95% blockage of the coronary arteries. "He suffered several silent heart attacks and had cardiac hypertrophy. This is not the heart of a 36-year-old man," the expert stated. Furthermore, hair analysis revealed traces of codeine, morphine, and heroin, substances known to cause arrhythmias. Reflecting on the events of January 5, 2023, the forensic doctor estimated that Stève Jacquelin Juliette experienced a particularly distressing day. Based on the images of his arrest, he described a man with a "terrorized face." He believed the victim experienced intense fear, a sense of imminent danger. "And if he indeed received a blow to the genital area, this could have amplified his stress. All these factors—fear, palpitations, heavy sweating—threw him back into the traumatic episodes of the day. He may have been struck during his arrest, but nothing that would directly cause his death," he concluded.

When questioned by Me Nataraj Muneesamy, an assistant to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the expert confirmed that the victim was vulnerable due to his prior health conditions. Q: Could what happened that day have precipitated a cardiac arrest? A: I am sure of it. At the end of Dr. Pierre Perich's testimony, Me Sailesh Seebaruth, acting as a "watching brief" for Dr. Sudesh Kumar Gungadin in this judicial inquiry, submitted a motion to obtain a copy of the French expert's report. The goal: to allow Professor Gert Saayman, a South African forensic doctor commissioned by the police, to provide his observations. The judicial inquiry was adjourned to June 11, 2025.

Dr. Pierre Perich conducted a second autopsy on the body of Stève Jacquelin Juliette.