Liubov Babuțchi’s death: forensic investigation reveals cause
The forensic investigation into the death of Liubov Babuțchi, the businesswoman who died in a beauty salon in Chișinău, has been concluded.
The exact cause of death was identified as embolism, announced the Minister of Internal Affairs, Daniela Misail-Nichitin, to the press. Regarding the investigation, the Minister stated that the salon owner, a Ukrainian citizen, left the Republic of Moldova on the day of the incident via the Palanca border crossing. Although earlier media reports had suggested that she might be in Spain, Daniela Misail-Nichitin clarified that her whereabouts remain unknown. At present, two individuals have been charged in connection with the case.
"From the information we have, she, a Ukrainian citizen, left the territory of the Republic of Moldova on the same day, crossing through the Palanca border crossing. Authorities are currently exchanging information to determine her whereabouts, and based on the actions taken, appropriate procedures will be initiated," said Minister Misail-Nichitin.
The Minister of Health, Ala Nemerenco, explained the duration of the expert evaluation process and dismissed speculations regarding a possible delay.
"These evaluations, known as judicial forensic expert assessments, typically take at least three weeks. This is because they involve not only the forensic examination of the body but also numerous histological analyses at the cellular level, which require additional time, especially when considering the effects of specific medications. If the cause involves medication effects, a control substance is also required to estimate the dose consumed. Therefore, this is a lengthy process and does not represent a delay. It has been widely speculated in the public space that there is a delay, but this is an entirely normal process. Usually, the forensic expert evaluation is sent back to the ordering authority – in this case, the criminal investigator – who has already received the results," explained Nemerenco.
Ala Nemerenco also mentioned that the Ministry of Health did not initiate its own investigation, as the tragedy occurred in a non-medical establishment: "We did not start an investigation, as it does not fall within our area of responsibility. This is an illegal activity, investigated through a criminal inquiry," said the Minister of Health.
It should be noted that Liubov Babuțchi, 35, the owner of a clothing store in a shopping mall in Chișinău, passed away on January 30th in a beauty salon. Sources close to the investigation had claimed at the time that she had been administered general anesthesia, but it is unclear whether it was properly monitored.
Meanwhile, the General Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal case for "negligence in the rules and methods of providing medical assistance, resulting in the patient's death."
As a result, anesthesiologist Ecaterina Maniuc, suspected in the case of the businesswoman's death, was detained and placed under arrest a week after the tragedy. According to the investigation, she administered anesthesia to the victim, causing her death. The lawyer claims that Maniuc was not working as an anesthetist in the salon. The woman pleads not guilty.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
