Autopsy: Slain Woman's Skull Fractured

RALEIGH, N.C. — Michelle Young was beaten numerous times and suffered a fractured skull when she was killed in early November, according to the autopsy report, which was released Monday.

Young, 29, was found beaten to death in her Wake County home on Nov. 3 with her 2-year-old daughter unharmed by her side. Young was five months pregnant at the time of her death.

The autopsy report shows she died from blunt force trauma to the head after being hit at least 10 times, but it also suggests her killer tried to strangle her before beating her to death. She had injuries to her neck consistent with manual strangulation, the report said.

Several of Young's teeth were knocked out in the attack, and her jaw was broken, according to the autopsy. She also had bruises on both hands and a cut on her left thumb, the report said.

"You've got to think she suffered with the type of injuries described here. It's just a brutal murder," Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said. "You never get accustomed to (murder scenes) no matter how long you do it, but the first thoughts in my mind, did the little girl see this happened?"

Despite the appearance of defensive wounds on her hands and the fact a hair was found in her hand, authorities haven't said what they have learned from the autopsy that might help their investigation.

"There was a struggle, and let me just stop at that," Harrison said.

Authorities have investigated her husband, Jason Young, in the case, but they haven't named him as a suspect.

According to search warrants, Jason Young had a relationship with a woman in Florida for several months before his wife's death. The Youngs also had financial difficulties, and Michelle Young had a sizable life insurance policy, according to search warrants.

Jason Young said he was out of town on a business trip at the time of his wife's death. Authorities said he had refused to cooperate with the investigation.

He and his daughter have moved to western North Carolina to be closer to his family.