U.S. Prosecutors to Reinvestigate Mysterious Death of Son Sun-Nyeo,

U.S. prosecutors office announced that they will reinvestigate the mysterious death of Son Sun-Nyeo, 27, who dramatically survived from the KAN airplane crash in Guam Island.

Randy Nichols, the attorney general in Knoxville county, Tennessee, U.S., met Son’s mother, her attorney Lee Yong-Gu (Richard Lee at the ``Continental Law Firm), and the president of the region’s Korean association, and spoke about the reinvestigation plan on 18th (U.S. time).

Attorney general Nichols said, ``we did not know about the case because we are normally informed after the police investigation. But, since Korean people and the bereaved family have doubts about the investigation, we will reinvestigate with fairness and thoroughness whether it was a homicide or a natural death.``

He added, ``I will order Knox county police to thoroughly reinvestigate on the suspicious parts of the case and if needed, I will let Tennessee State FBI look into on the case.``

He also said that if needed, they would consider a direct investigation by prosecutors themselves.

After arrival on 15th, attorney Lee and his clients submitted a comprehensive report on the case that contains additional evidences, questionable points, and insufficient investigation by the police. The evidences have been collected through an on-spot investigation and interviews with witnesses.

Shin Cheol-Su (50), the president of Korean Association in Knoxville, and other representatives of the association also sent a petition for a more exhaustive investigation.

After reviewing of the petition, attorney general Nichols said, ``I did not know that that this was such a dubious case. I will examine all points and witnesses mentioned on the petition.``

In the meantime, Tim Hutchison, the chief of the Knoxville county police station who is in charge of the case, said, ``the investigation is not yet finished and whenever more important evidences appear, we will restart the investigation.``

To explain about the provisional conclusion of drowning, he said, ``I merely accepted the doctor’s opinion. But, the decision is not final and is open for reinterpretation.``

Police chief Hutchison added, ``if a thorough autopsy reveals the drug addiction, we can reinvestigate. To make sure, we already have collected her blood and skin tissue for a more complete autopsy.``

Lee Soo-Hyung sooh@donga.com