Honestly, the case of Brett Wittner is the kind of story that keeps you up at night if you're into true crime or just care about justice. A 14-year-old boy goes to a sleepover in Franklinton, Louisiana, in 2012, and somehow ends up dead from a gunshot wound to the head. For over a decade, the official word was basically "he accidentally shot himself." But his parents, Donna and David Wittner, never bought it. They fought for twelve years to get the case reopened, and in 2024, they finally got what they wanted: an exhumation and a fresh look.
The Brett Wittner 2nd autopsy results were supposed to be the "smoking gun" that finally settled the debate between an accidental suicide and something more sinister.
But science is rarely as clean as a TV drama.
What the Second Autopsy Actually Found
In late 2024, Brett’s body was exhumed. This was a massive deal. It was prompted by a WWL Louisiana investigation that brought in international experts who looked at the original 2012 files and basically said, "Wait, this doesn't add up."
The second autopsy was performed in Beaumont, Texas, by Dr. William McClain, an independent pathologist. Everyone was looking for evidence of a second bullet. Why? Because ballistics experts like Bo Janzon had previously suggested that the metal fragments seen in Brett’s original hospital CT scans—taken just hours after the shooting—didn't match the single, mostly intact bullet recovered during the first autopsy three days later.
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The result? Dr. McClain didn't find a second bullet. He didn't find new fragments.
The Findings at a Glance
- No new injuries: The second exam confirmed the entry wound behind the right ear and an exit wound on the front left.
- Homicide "all but eliminated": McClain’s report stated it's "exceedingly rare" for a person to inflict a contact gunshot wound on someone else without a struggle or other evidence, which he didn't see.
- The "Undetermined" status: While the original 2012 autopsy leaned toward accidental, the Washington Parish Coroner, Dr. Roger Casama, eventually changed the official manner of death to undetermined.
It’s a frustrating middle ground. "Undetermined" basically means the medical examiner is throwing their hands up. They can't prove it was an accident, but they can't prove it was murder either.
The Mystery of the "Migrating" Bullet
One of the biggest head-scratchers in the Brett Wittner 2nd autopsy results discussion involves the hospital scans. When Brett was first brought to the hospital, X-rays showed a large bullet fragment in the far back of his head. But when the first autopsy was done by Dr. Christopher Tape (who, weirdly enough, later became the St. Tammany Coroner), he said he found that bullet lodged in the exit wound at the front of the skull.
How does a bullet move five inches through brain tissue and skull after a person is already dead?
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Some experts think it just "migrated" due to gravity while the body was being moved. Others, like neuroradiologist Dr. Jon Spar, think that’s physically impossible because the scalp is too tight. The second autopsy didn't solve this. Since the brain tissue had decomposed over twelve years, Dr. McClain was mostly looking at bone. The LSU FACES Laboratory cleaned the skull and found no extra "divots" or holes that would suggest a second shot.
Why the Family Still Isn't Satisfied
If you’re Donna Wittner, these results feel like a slap in the face. For years, she pointed out that the rifle involved—a long-barrel .22 caliber—was nearly as long as Brett’s arm. Trying to hold that gun at an angle to shoot yourself behind the ear is... awkward, to say the least.
Then there’s the house where it happened. It belonged to Reggie Griffith. Interestingly, in October 2025, another fatal shooting of a child occurred at a property involving the same person. This time it was a pellet gun accident. The sheriff called it a "freak tragedy," but for the Wittners, it’s just another layer of a nightmare that won't end.
Key Discrepancies That Remain:
- The Shell Casings: Two spent shell casings were found at the 2012 scene. If there was only one shot, where did the other casing come from?
- The Mass of the Bullet: Experts calculated that the fragments left in Brett's brain (seen in 2012 scans) plus the recovered bullet weighed more than a single .22 round.
- Witnesses: There were eight other kids in that house. Some of their stories shifted. The owner of the gun wasn't even interviewed by detectives the night it happened.
The Path Forward for the Wittner Case
So, where does this leave us? The Brett Wittner 2nd autopsy results didn't provide enough evidence for Sheriff Randy Smith to file homicide charges. Without a "new" bullet or a confession, the legal system is basically at a standstill.
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But that doesn't mean the case is closed in the court of public opinion. The shift to an "undetermined" status is a small victory for the family because it officially removes the "accidental" label that they felt blamed their son for his own death.
If you are following this case or similar cold cases, here is what usually happens next:
- Private Investigation: Families often hire private ballistics experts to recreate the shot using the exact rifle model to prove the physical impossibility of the self-inflicted theory.
- Civil Litigation: Since the criminal threshold of "beyond a reasonable doubt" is so high, many families pursue civil suits where the burden of proof is lower.
- Legislative Pressure: The Wittner case has already put a spotlight on the St. Tammany and Washington Parish Coroner's offices, leading to calls for more oversight in how autopsies are conducted by private contractors.
The truth is, 12 years is a long time for forensic evidence to wait. While the bones didn't give up all their secrets, the Wittners have at least ensured that Brett's death is no longer dismissed as just a "tragic accident" without question.
To stay informed on this case, you should monitor local Louisiana investigative reporting, as the "undetermined" status means the file remains open for new tips or forensic technology that might emerge in the future.