2025-08-22 19:27:41 -0400
To: Governor Kathy Hochul and Albany County District Attorney’s Office
Reopen JOSHUA ABOOD'S Case!
Joshua Abood’s death on June 10, 2020 was prematurely ruled an “accidental drowning” despite major contradictions in the medical and investigative record.
Under New York County Law §674, suspicious or unattended deaths must be referred to a board-certified forensic pathologist. The designated referral center for this region is Albany Medical Center’s Forensic Pathology Unit. Despite this legal requirement, Joshua’s autopsy was conducted at Ellis Hospital — a general pathology facility — in direct violation of statute and accepted forensic standards.
The autopsy failed to document essential drowning findings:
1.No intra-alveolar fluid in the lungs (microscopic evidence of drowning)
Under New York County Law §674, suspicious or unattended deaths must be referred to a board-certified forensic pathologist. The designated referral center for this region is Albany Medical Center’s Forensic Pathology Unit. Despite this legal requirement, Joshua’s autopsy was conducted at Ellis Hospital — a general pathology facility — in direct violation of statute and accepted forensic standards.
The autopsy failed to document essential drowning findings:
1.No intra-alveolar fluid in the lungs (microscopic evidence of drowning)
2.No diatom testing performed (to confirm water inhalation)
3.No documentation of lividity (critical for time-of-death estimation and body position)
Additional contradictions remain unresolved:
Conflicting language between the autopsy report, death certificate, and police reports
Joshuas mother said the back of Joshua’s shirt was heavily saturated in blood, yet his injuries were in all in the front and minimized in police documentation
The family was denied access to autopsy photographs, blocking independent forensic review
This case was mishandled from the start — closed before contradictions were addressed and before statutory obligations were met — leaving Joshua’s family without justice.
What must happen now:
1. Immediate independent review of Joshua Abood’s case by a qualified, board-certified forensic pathologist
2. Accountability for the violation of §674 and mishandling of a suspicious death
3. Full release of all autopsy photographs and investigative records to the family
4. Oversight reforms to ensure no other family is denied a lawful and thorough investigation
Joshua’s death was not investigated in accordance with the law. His family deserves answers, accountability, and truth
Why is this important?
Joshua’s case is bigger than one family — it’s about justice, accountability, and basic human rights. When a suspicious death is mishandled, when the law requiring a board-certified forensic pathologist is ignored, and when families are denied the truth, it creates a dangerous precedent for everyone.
If this could happen to Joshua, it could happen to your son, daughter, brother, or friend. We all deserve to know that when tragedy strikes, investigations will be handled with professionalism, honesty, and by the book — not rushed, buried, or brushed aside.
Signing this petition means demanding transparency, accountability, and equal treatment under the law. Joshua’s life mattered — and fighting for answers in his case protects every family in New York from facing the same injustice.
If this could happen to Joshua, it could happen to your son, daughter, brother, or friend. We all deserve to know that when tragedy strikes, investigations will be handled with professionalism, honesty, and by the book — not rushed, buried, or brushed aside.
Signing this petition means demanding transparency, accountability, and equal treatment under the law. Joshua’s life mattered — and fighting for answers in his case protects every family in New York from facing the same injustice.
How it will be delivered
This petition will be delivered to the Albany County DA, NYS Attorney General’s Public Integrity Bureau, NYS Dept. of Health, and the NYS Commission on Forensic Science, with copies sent to media to ensure our demand for justice cannot be ignored.