Homicidal strangulation by victim's own hair presenting as natural death

We report an unusual case of homicidal strangulation of a healthy woman using her own head hair as the ligature. An attempt was made by the accused murderer to mask the homicide. Autopsy findings are presented that emphasize the lack of injuries to the deep neck structures when a soft, broad ligature is used. This case also highlights the difficulties arising in interpretation of pathological findings in asphyxial deaths, when the circumstances are not available and the ligature is not in place. Review of the English language literature found no similar case.