In the fall of 2015, a distressing discovery was made in a Northwest Washington residence that would ultimately lead to a homicide investigation. On the evening of September 19th, police were called to an apartment in the 300 block of Delafield Place NW. There, they found 43-year-old Medina Michelle Thornton unconscious. A neighbor had reported hearing loud noises followed by the sound of footsteps and a door slamming. Upon investigating, the neighbor found Thornton lying on the floor near her front door.
Thornton was suffering from significant injuries and was transported to a hospital. For months, she fought for her life. However, due to complications from blunt force trauma to the head, Medina Thornton succumbed to her injuries on April 3, 2016. Following her death, the D.C.
medical examiner's office conducted an autopsy and officially ruled her death a homicide.
Investigators at the scene of the initial assault recovered several items of evidence, including a pipe wrench. Despite this, the case has remained a difficult one for law enforcement. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the beating and subsequent death of Medina Thornton. The investigation into her murder is ongoing as authorities continue to seek information from the public.
