GEORGETOWN, SC — The Georgetown County Coroner’s Office has released findings from the autopsy of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes, who was found dead after being reported missing on Pawleys Island. Officials said the child’s body was recovered from the Waccamaw River on Aug. 31 at about 9:54 a.m.
According to Coroner Chase Ridgeway, the preliminary examination showed no external signs of trauma. Ridgeway also said Saylor was wearing a bathing suit when she was brought to the Georgetown County Morgue, and a strap attached to her ankle appeared consistent with a child’s wrist tether strap.
Autopsy identifies pulmonary edema but no final cause of death
A forensic pathologist performed the autopsy Friday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Officials said the examination found pulmonary edema, which is a buildup of fluid in the lungs that can severely limit airflow.
That finding does not yet explain exactly how the child died. Ridgeway said the cause and manner of death remain undetermined while additional testing is completed. His office expects the full autopsy report to be available in about eight to ten weeks…