The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office officially ruled the death of 25-year-old UH nutrition junior Mohammed Marfani as ‘accidental’ Monday.
Staff at the medical examiner’s office said the cause of death was smoke inhalation, stating there was no foul play, which officially closes the case.’
Marfani’s family reported him missing when Marfani did not return home on March 6 after calling to say he would arrive there in 30 minutes.’
Houston Chronicle reported Marfani’s body was found Tuesday in the driver’s seat of a dark green Ford Explorer on the 2200 block of Austin Street, minutes from Rich’s Houston Nightclub, where police said the 25-year-old had been with friends the night of his disappearance.
Police said surveillance cameras at the nightclub showed that Marfani appeared intoxicated. Video shows him sitting on the curb outside of the club by himself. Police said nothing in the videos suggested foul play.
Houston Chronicle reported the owner of the SUV and her friend found Marfani’s body March 17.’
‘The owner of the vehicle returned to the vehicle to retrieve some items. When she opened the back door, she smelled a very strong odor and noticed somebody sitting in the front seat.” HDP spokesman Victor Senties said.
Police investigating the case said they were no longer taking questions about the closed case.’
The passenger’s seat was burned down to the springs and the side of the door was partially melted. The driver’s seat in which the body was found was undamaged. As for how the fire was started, HPD Arson Department said the information would not be released for another month.
