US pathologist 'found suspicious marks' on US man who officially died of 'hypothermia' in Siberia

The body of 25 year old US student Colin Madsen - who had been studying in Siberia - was found on 4 April, eight days after he went missing in the middle of the night from a mountain guest house in Arshan village in the Republic of Buryatia. 

His mother Dana Madsen-Calcutt, 55, has accused the law enforcement authorities of a cover-up, and claimed that a US pathologist found suspicious marks on her son's head and wrists.

She argues that analysis of the American student's remains after they were flown to the US indicate he was hit on the head with a blunt object.

'The pathologist deemed Colin's death suspicious and it is now being reviewed by a forensics expert here,' said his mother, from California, Missouri (MO). 'I hope it won't be much longer as it has been very difficult for all of us.'

She also claimed that the American embassy in Moscow has sent 'four diplomatic notes' to the Russian authorities concerning the death of her son, from Jefferson City, MO, who was studying at Irkutsk State Linguistic University, and 'not received responses to them'.

Budazhap Budaev, head of the Tunkinsky district investigative department of the Russian Investigative Committee told The Siberian Times: 'The official version of what has happened is that Colin Madsen while under the influence of drugs left the house and died of hypothermia.' 

Its experts, including Budaev, 'came to conclusion that Madsen's death was caused by general hypothermia because of low air temperature, and made clear the case had been closed and did not involve murder'. 

The student had left the guest house between 2am and 5am and 'disappeared without any traces', said a statement.

This hypothermia conclusion 'was confirmed by results of the autopsy, examination of the intestines of the deceased and other highly precise examinations, including histological'.

Investigators further concluded that he died under the influence of marijuana and that tests 'confirmed traces of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and PB-22 (synthetic 'designer' drug) in the urine of the deceased'.

Earlier, before his body was found, a murder investigation had been launched by the Investigative Committee, seen as the equivalent of the American FBI, because 'facts indicate that a crime may have been committed against him'. It is now clear that this criminal probe was closed on 30 July.

Madsen's mother strongly disputes the Russian findings, and says that an American 'drug screen' on her son's remains was 'negative' while the initial Russian toxicological results - which she has obtained - were also 'statistically negative for THC in his urine and completely negative in the blood, hair, and nails', despite the later claim about drug use.

The allegation of drug use 'is a lie to try and deflect from what happened,' she alleged. 'It didn't beat him with a blunt object or put identical marks around both wrists.  

Nor was it drugs which 'hit him on the head' or led those who 'did the first autopsy not even (to) examine his coronary arteries'. 'I believe the whole affair is a cover up, and a poor one at that.'

Mrs Madsen-Calcutt claimed that the investigation into her son's death in Buryatia was a 'sham', and said this was why she had appealed on Facebook for any Russian witnesses to come forward. 'This is foul play and I believe the police are involved. I wrote my uncharacteristic Facebook plea for help as I knew things were not right.'

A motive for a Russian law enforcement cover-up is not clear but she implied that there may have been local suspicions that her son and his group of friends were gay. She said this was not the case. 

When she arrived in Russia - shortly before his body was found around one kilometre from the guest house - she had 'a very disturbing conversation with a policeman' which she found the be 'inappropriate and frightening', she said. 

'I knew Colin would not be found alive after I talked to him. He was spitting with hatred and contempt as he thought those men should not be staying together without girls or alcohol. 

'He kept trying to get me to say Colin liked boys and wondering how much money he spent per month and where it came from. When I was exhausted and in utter disbelief, I told him Colin had a girlfriend at home - and I saw pure fear.'

Her theory is that her son got up to go to the toilet in the night, and that he was then attacked. He knew this area of Buryatia, and would not have voluntarily walked into the mountains at night without being properly dressed, she said. 

'Colin had also had bilateral ankle surgery the year before and could not hike or walk very far without socks,' she said. 'The boots rubbed on the scars with out socks and it really bothered him. Yet he was found with unlaced shoes and no socks, completely clean shoes, I might add.

'His bladder was very full on autopsy.  I know he was going out to the bathroom.'

She also claimed that she, and her family and embassy staff 'were not allowed to see or know where Colin was found', even though it was only one kilometre away. 

'The crime scene report from Russia says there are no witnesses due to the difficult terrain, but in the crime scene photos there are at least 10 men sitting comfortably around were Colin was found.'

She said she does not suspect her son's Russian friends. 

'I believe those men to be completely innocent,' she said. 'I believe it was the police or someone related or known by the police -  but it has been a bumbled cover up from the beginning.  

'When Colin was sent home from Russia I did not know how he would come home and had a coffin and clothes ready for him. It was when the funeral home removed his heavy make up, suit, and white undergarments that they noted the suspicious marks, and called forensics.'

In her appeal for more information, Mrs Madsen-Calcutt said: 'There are so many questions that remain unanswered. Colin Madsen was an international student at Moscow Linguistic University in Irkutsk, Russia. He was an experienced hiker and fluent in the Russian language. 

'While on a planned hiking trip to the popular tourist destination of Arshan, Russia, Colin disappeared somewhere in the early morning hours of 27 March. His body was found eight days later only one kilometre from the guest house. 

'In addition to being a experienced hiker, Colin had served as a lead trail guide for other International students and had previously hiked the area prior to his disappearance.'

She wrote: 'I am appealing to social media in order to seek some degree of resolution and justice in my sons case. I am hopeful that my friends and concerned humanity will share this post which may encourage any one with information about Colin's death to step forward.'

She told The Siberian Times: 'This cannot be allowed to happen to someone else. Colin has already been slandered and can't be hurt any further. I am going after them and I have a big team of good and smart people that are helping.'

The group including Madsen were due to climb a local mountain called Peak of Love later in the morning on which he perished. 

'He would have never walked to a place in the pitch dark with his shoes unlaced, no socks, and when he was leaving for a climb in just a few hours that he was so excited about,' the mother has said. 

Two Russian friends who were with Madsen on the trip have earlier claimed that investigators sought to frame them for murder before Madsen's body was even found. 

They have not been charged with any wrongdoing, although the Investigative Committee indicate they may face prosecution for illegal drug use. 

The US embassy declined to say if it was satisfied with the Russian investigation. 

'We have closely monitored local authorities' investigation into the cause of death,' said a spokesperson. 'We refer you to the Russian authorities on their investigation.  We have no power to conduct investigations on Russian territory.

'Out of respect for Mr Madsen's family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.'

The body of 25 year old US student Colin Madsen - who had been studying in Siberia - was found on 4 April, eight days after he went missing in the middle of the night from a mountain guest house in Arshan village in the Republic of Buryatia.