Forensic researchers conclude Sewol owner died before June 2

It was confirmed Friday that the police have concluded Yoo Byeong-eon, the deceased owner of the sunken ferry Sewol, had died before June 2. The conclusion was based on the analyses of Yoo`s body, his belongings and the larvae and chrysalises of flies on his body. If the old man captured in closed-circuit TV recordings proves to be Yoo, the timing of his death will be narrowed down to between 11:30 a.m. on May 29 and June 2.

According to the scientific investigation team of the North Jeolla Provincial Police Agency and a forensic team led by Korea University professor Park Seong-hwan, the chrysalises found on Yoo`s body and his belongs were hatched before June 2. The research team initially estimated that the chrysalises hatched on June 4. However, they concluded that they were hatched before June 2 in consideration of the fact that it rained on the site from June 2 to June 4. The hatching of chrysalises requires high temperatures and high humidity.

However, the research team failed to withdraw a meaningful conclusion from the chrysalis skins collected on a field in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province where Yoo`s body was found because too much time has passed. The team informed the Suncheon Police Station of the analysis results.