While the specifics of her death are morbidly fascinating, they must also be viewed in the context of her life. Far from the "dumb blonde" persona she often portrayed, Mansfield was an intelligent woman who spoke five languages and was a talented violinist and pianist. She was also a devoted mother who fought for custody of her children.
| Feature | | Avulsion (Autopsy Finding) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Separation Point | At the neck, between the skull and spine. | Upper portion of the skull, above the eyes. | | Cause of Death | Severing of the spinal cord and major blood vessels in the neck. | Catastrophic blunt force trauma to the cranium and brain. | | Anatomical Result | The head is completely separated from the body. | The top of the skull is torn off, but the lower face and neck remain attached. | | Official Source | Never stated in any official report. | Explicitly described in the police and coroner's reports. |
Actionable steps to research the autopsy report and primary sources
Her blonde wig was found on the road, leading onlookers to believe her entire head had been removed.
: Crushed skull with partial separation of the cranium and brain. Secondary Injuries Closed fracture of the right humerus (upper arm).
The myth was fueled by several factors. First, the Buick’s roof was sheared off, and a blonde, wig-like object could be seen tangled in the wrecked windshield. This was likely either a wig Mansfield was wearing, or her actual hair and skin, torn away as the roof peeled back.
The cause of death was determined to be a fractured neck with transection of the spinal cord, due to a high-speed motor vehicle accident.
Jayne Mansfield Autopsy Report _verified_ Today
While the specifics of her death are morbidly fascinating, they must also be viewed in the context of her life. Far from the "dumb blonde" persona she often portrayed, Mansfield was an intelligent woman who spoke five languages and was a talented violinist and pianist. She was also a devoted mother who fought for custody of her children.
| Feature | | Avulsion (Autopsy Finding) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Separation Point | At the neck, between the skull and spine. | Upper portion of the skull, above the eyes. | | Cause of Death | Severing of the spinal cord and major blood vessels in the neck. | Catastrophic blunt force trauma to the cranium and brain. | | Anatomical Result | The head is completely separated from the body. | The top of the skull is torn off, but the lower face and neck remain attached. | | Official Source | Never stated in any official report. | Explicitly described in the police and coroner's reports. | jayne mansfield autopsy report
Actionable steps to research the autopsy report and primary sources While the specifics of her death are morbidly
Her blonde wig was found on the road, leading onlookers to believe her entire head had been removed. | Feature | | Avulsion (Autopsy Finding) |
: Crushed skull with partial separation of the cranium and brain. Secondary Injuries Closed fracture of the right humerus (upper arm).
The myth was fueled by several factors. First, the Buick’s roof was sheared off, and a blonde, wig-like object could be seen tangled in the wrecked windshield. This was likely either a wig Mansfield was wearing, or her actual hair and skin, torn away as the roof peeled back.
The cause of death was determined to be a fractured neck with transection of the spinal cord, due to a high-speed motor vehicle accident.