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

By 0 and 0 and 0
15 October 2016

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'The official version of what has happened is that Colin Madsen while under the influence of drugs left the house and died of hypothermia.' Picture: Social media

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.'

Crime scene


Terrain

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. Pictures: The Siberian Times, Viktor Levin

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'.

Passport


Private possessions


money


Police search

It is now clear that this criminal probe was closed on 30 July. Pictures: Investigative Committee in Buryatia, Vlad Rasputin

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.  

Colin with Dana

'This cannot be allowed to happen to someone else. Colin has already been slandered and can't be hurt any further.' Picture: Dana Madsen-Calcutt

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. 

Guest house


Guest house


Colin Madsen 'froze to death after taking cannabis', says law enforcement, but friends dispute findings.

Guest house where the friends stopped for the night before Colin disappeared. Pictures: Social media, Vlad Rasputin

'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.

Colin in Arshan


First hiking in Siberia


Colin in Arshan


Colin in Ivolginsky datsan

Colin's firt hiking trip in Siberia, in 2013. Colin Madsen in Ivolginsky datsan of Buryat Buddhist school. Pictures: Social media

'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.'

Map


Arshan

He went missing in the middle of the night from a mountain guest house in Arshan village in the Republic of Buryatia. Picture: The Siberian Times, @fanatbaikala

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. 

Dana's post

'I wrote my uncharacteristic Facebook plea for help as I knew things were not right.' Picture: Dana Madsen-Calcutt

'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. 

Colin Madsen

Comments (16)

The truth is soon coming.. May the story help prevent this from happening to someone else at the hands of the police.. The police should serve and protect,, not invoke fear and induce harm. They are ruthless and corrupt. Look at poor Nikita Kobelovs family and the countless others too afraid to come forward. Bullies.. Drunken unprofessional bullies who seek to inflate their self esteem by physical force and torture. Join forces and revolt!
Chris Lyons, Hollywood California
02/07/2017 08:59
3
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Кто нибудь знает номер Мамы парня что погиб ? ? ? !!!! Есть для неё информация важная

Ивпн , Россия Иркутск09/01/2017 14:50

Write to me at fireflymagiclights@gmail.com
Dana Madsen Calcutt, USA
20/02/2017 11:30
1
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Ивпн, напишите пожалуйста на редакционный адрес: news@siberiantimes.com
Alexander, The Siberian Times,
09/01/2017 21:05
2
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Кто нибудь знает номер Мамы парня что погиб ? ? ? !!!! Есть для неё информация важная
Ивпн , Россия Иркутск
09/01/2017 14:50
1
0
I noticed one of the comments report that it "looks like some of them were caught", do you know of Amy officers that were arrested for Nikita Kobelev's torture and murder that were also involved in Colin Madsen's case or was on duty during the time frame the young man visited Arshan from March 27th to April 4th?
Jackie, North Dakota
04/12/2016 21:40
1
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to dana, you mean this guy? looks like some policemen are caught.
http://en.crimerussia.ru/gromkie-dela/under-case-of-teen-deaths-and-torture-in-department-of-interior-ministry-in-ulan-ude-arrested-sixth-/
Ion, Bukarest
03/11/2016 07:52
2
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Those weren't the only unusual marks. Ahhh, the usual deflect and slander. Not a drug user, negative for everything in hair, nails, and blood. I believe this death had to do with a gas mask like Nikita Kobelev's. Almost identical wrist and hand marks and a police man that essentially spits on me three days before

COLIN was found as he was so full of hatred that Colin and his friends at the dacha were gay. I knew I wouldn't see him alive again . I can walk away from this or try to help now for these young men in Russia.
Dana madsen Calcutt, Missouri
30/10/2016 03:56
10
3
Yet another sad an unexplainable case, at least, deciding from the pictures Colin really seemed like a nice guy who got caught in what Winston Churchill once stated as, quote:
"I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest."
The mysterious Slavic mindset and its way of covering up in a what seems some times quite clumsy do manage to obfuscate the whole thing, and therein in Churchill's quotation may the hint lie.
Stretching my condolences to the family, only time can soothe the pain.
Vaeltaja, Finland
21/10/2016 02:48
15
1
I know Colin Madsen very well, a more spiritually enlightened human being has never walked the earth.
Colin's main focus was learning and making known the unknown, he loved and wanted to know the wisdom of all
people of the world. He belongs to the fifth world predicted by the Maya the world of wisdom, love you Colin.











A.M.E.N., USA
21/10/2016 01:13
9
0
He had obviously been moved and his shoelaces were a mile long. What happened to the dogs? Why no search for three days ? His fists are clenched tightly on the life photo and now his bladder full? Was he truly dead for 8 days?
JoAnn, Allentown , PA
20/10/2016 17:35
11
0
This's strange, this story was hash-hash in Russia, we've never heard abou it
Alex, Ekb, RF
20/10/2016 03:39
11
0
I don't think there's any way to dispute there were signs of hypothermia. The question is, what happened in the 7 days before his body was found? Did he wander around lost for days with his long shoelaces untied unable to find his way back when only a mile away? With according to EMERCOM, there were military drones, helicopters, and supposedly 100's of search and rescue volunteers looking for him. With that much search effort, why was his body not found? He did not appear to be covered by any sort of dense forest or cavern. His body was located in a clear opening on flat ground in visual distance of Arshan village and very near the local weather station from what I've read in media. Besides that, his mother and friends indicated that he was an experienced hiker and was familiar with the well pathed open trails Also, aren't there any sort of birds or forest animals in Siberia? I can't imagine no evidence of scavengers leaving an exposed body alone for that long.
Jackie, Bizmark, ND
19/10/2016 06:08
15
0
I realize we all have the best of intentions in wanting to help understand what happened to Colin so I ask these questions in an effort to help. I struggle with the 8 day time period to locate his body 1 kilometer (.6 miles) away. Could he have been lured out of the house by someone he knew, taken somewhere else and his body then placed where it was found? Would he not have been frozen stiff after 8 days outside given the temperatures?
Pamela Tetarenko, League City, USA
19/10/2016 03:17
13
0
A full bladder at autopsy can be the result of hypothermia or as a result of prolonged period of unconsciousness with cerebral brain injuries leading to paralysis or cerebral head injury. Unlikely in either case the body was there for 8 days. Body still had rigor as you could see in original crime scene photo leaked by Life News.
Kate, USA
18/10/2016 20:12
14
1
how can a bladder be very full on autopsy? when someone dies, all the muscles relax special the bladder and sphinxter muscles. rigor mortis comes only later....
Benedikt, Moscow
18/10/2016 15:00
14
0
12

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