Authorities release cause of death for Kei’Mani Latigue

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Authorities in Ohio have announced the cause of death for Kei’Mani Latigue, the 13-year-old girl who was found dead in a burned abandoned house days after she was reported missing.

The 13-year-old was reported missing March 18

Kei’Mani was reported missing on March 18 in Toledo, Ohio after being reportedly last seen with her father.

Police issued an arrest warrant for the father, identified as Darnell Jones, 33, on Sunday, March 23, in connection with her abduction, according to a statement from the Toledo Police Department.

On Monday, March 24, Kei’Mani was found in a burned-out, abandoned house in Toledo after which authorities issued another arrest warrant for Jones, this time for murder. He was arrested on Tuesday, March 25, by Columbus police after reportedly exchanging gunfire with officers, sustaining critical injuries.

While family members were pleading with the public to help find Kei’Mani, her father appeared on local news and said he last saw his daughter the night of March 16 after she called him to say she was scared to be home alone.

“It seemed like somebody was trying to break into the house,” the 33-year-old claimed his daughter told him, and said he drove over to the house around 12:30 a.m.

Keimani lived with her grandmother, Dorothy Latigue, who was not home at the time, and two dogs.

Kei’Mani Latigue’s cause of death

The Lucas County Coroner’s Office has now announced the cause of Kei’Mani’s death.

Kei’mani Latigue; Darnell Jones. Photo: Toledo Police Department Facebook; Lucas County Jail

The autopsy revealed she died from “multiple incised wounds of the neck,” and ruled the cause as homicide, the coroner’s office said in a statement.

Brian Steel, a lieutenant with the Columbus Police Department, told PEOPLE that the child was found in a horrific condition — she had allegedly been nearly decapitated, sexually assaulted and her hands were cut off.

According to reports, Jones reportedly gave inconsistent statements to police about his activity with his daughter as well as his whereabouts.

When Columbus police approached him on Tuesday, March 25, Jones reportedly opened fire on police and they returned fire, critically injuring him. Steel says he is now in stable condition. The officer was not injured.

Community devastated

The horrific nature of the crime has left Kei’Mani’s community devastated and shocked.

On Tuesday, March 25, nearly 100 people came together for a vigil at the site of where her body was found, now decorated with flowers, candles, and balloons, reports the Toledo Blade.

“It’s a deep wound for the whole community,” attendee Sonya Rivera told the outlet. “It doesn’t matter if you’re from Waterville or Perrysburg, our community and our kids matter.”

A spokesperson for Toledo Public Schools said Kei’Mani was due to be presented with a kindness award this week and had been on her elementary school’s honor roll.

“The students and staff at Spring Elementary are saddened by the loss of their friend and classmate, Kei’Maini Latigue,” a TPS spokesperson told WTVG.