Cherish Perrywinkle was an 8-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 21, 2013. She was shopping with her mother and two younger sisters at a Walmart when she was approached by Donald Smith, a convicted sex offender. Smith offered to buy Cherish clothes, and she went with him to his van. Cherish’s body was found the next day in a creek behind a church.
Smith was arrested and charged with Cherish’s murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. He is currently on death row in Florida.
Cherish Perrywinkle’s death was a tragedy that shook the community of Jacksonville. She was a bright and loving child who had her whole life ahead of her. Her death is a reminder of the dangers that children face, and the importance of staying vigilant.
Cherish Perrywinkle Autopsy
The autopsy report for Cherish Perrywinkle, an 8-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 21, 2013, determined that she died from asphyxiation due to strangulation. She also had bruises on her body, which indicated that she had been beaten.
The autopsy report was conducted by Dr. Valerie Rao, the chief medical examiner for the State of Florida. Dr. Rao’s findings were as follows:
- Cherish’s body was found in a creek behind a church. She was fully clothed and lying face down in the water.
- There were bruises on Cherish’s face, neck, chest, back, and legs.
- There were ligature marks around Cherish’s neck.
- Cherish’s hyoid bone was fractured.
- Cherish’s lungs were congested and edematous.
- Cherish’s cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation.
Dr. Rao concluded that Cherish’s death was a homicide. She stated that the bruises on Cherish’s body were consistent with being beaten, and that the ligature marks around her neck were consistent with being strangled. She also stated that the fracture of Cherish’s hyoid bone was consistent with strangulation.
The autopsy report provided strong evidence that Cherish Perrywinkle was murdered by Donald Smith, the man who abducted her from a Walmart in Jacksonville. Smith was found guilty of Cherish’s murder and sentenced to death. He is currently on death row in Florida.
Cherish Perrywinkle Cause of Death
Cherish Perrywinkle was strangled to death by Donald Smith, a convicted sex offender. Smith abducted Cherish from a Walmart in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 21, 2013, while she was shopping with her mother and two younger sisters. He offered to buy Cherish clothes, and she went with him to his van. Cherish’s body was found the next day in a creek behind a church.
The medical examiner determined that Cherish died from asphyxiation due to strangulation. She also had bruises on her body, which indicated that she had been beaten.
Cherish Perrywinkle Case Details
Here are the case details of the Cherish Perrywinkle abduction and murder:
- Date: June 21, 2013
- Location: Walmart in Jacksonville, Florida
- Victim: Cherish Perrywinkle, 8 years old
- Suspect: Donald Smith, 56 years old
- Crime: Abduction and murder
- Sentence: Death sentence
On June 21, 2013, Cherish Perrywinkle was shopping with her mother and two younger sisters at a Walmart in Jacksonville, Florida. The suspect, Donald Smith, approached Cherish and her mother and offered to buy Cherish clothes. Cherish’s mother allowed her to go with Smith, believing that he was a good Samaritan.
Smith took Cherish to his van and drove her to a nearby church. He then strangled her to death and dumped her body in a creek. Cherish’s body was found the next day.
Smith was arrested and charged with Cherish’s murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. He is currently on death row in Florida.
The Cherish Perrywinkle case was a tragedy that shook the community of Jacksonville. Cherish was a bright and loving child who had her whole life ahead of her. Her death is a reminder of the dangers that children face, and the importance of staying vigilant.
Here are some additional details about the case:
- Cherish’s mother, Rayne Perrywinkle, was hailed as a hero for her quick thinking and bravery in trying to save her daughter. She alerted store employees about Smith, and she followed him out of the store in an attempt to get his license plate number.
- Smith was a convicted sex offender who had been released from prison just two months before Cherish’s murder. He had a long history of violence against women and children.
- The case was highly publicized, and it led to calls for stricter laws to protect children from predators. The Florida legislature passed a law that requires stores to have a policy in place for reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
- Cherish’s death is a reminder that child abduction and murder are still very real threats. It is important to be aware of the dangers and to take steps to protect children.
Here are some tips for protecting children from abduction:
- Teach children to never go with strangers, no matter what they say.
- Teach children to scream and yell if they are being abducted.
- Teach children to run away from strangers and to find a safe place to hide.
- Teach children to remember as much detail about the stranger as possible, including their physical description, clothing, and vehicle.
- Be aware of your surroundings when you are with children.
- Do not leave children unattended in public places.
- Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Judge allows graphic photos in upcoming Donald Smith/Cherish Perrywinkle trial
Autopsy and Crime Scene Photographs to Be Admissible in Cherish Perrywinkle Murder Trial
In the upcoming murder trial of Donald James Smith in Jacksonville, a judge has ruled that graphic autopsy and crime scene photographs, including those of 8-year-old victim Cherish Perrywinkle and her accused rapist and killer, can be presented to the jury.
Medical Examiner Valerie Rao was actively involved in the case, having been present at the crime scene in June 2013 when Cherish’s body was discovered. She conducted the autopsy and also meticulously documented the condition of Smith, the 61-year-old suspect, including photographs of his genitals after his arrest on June 22, 2013.
Cherish Perrywinkle’s mother had reported her daughter missing late in the night prior to the discovery of her body. She had last been seen with a man named Don. Prosecutors allege that Smith had befriended Rayne Perrywinkle earlier in the day, persuading her and her three children to accompany him to Walmart under the pretense of buying them clothes and food.
Initially, the defense had contested the admissibility of the autopsy photos, arguing that they were unnecessary and potentially shocking to the jury. However, Medical Examiner Rao argued that these images are a critical part of delivering justice, despite their distressing nature.
Additionally, Judge Mallory Cooper ruled that the jury could also hear specific portions of an audio recording of a conversation between Smith and another inmate in jail. Prosecutor Mark Caliel intends to introduce a four-minute segment from this recording. In the recording, Smith discusses young girls and expresses a desire to encounter them at Walmart. He also comments about a victim’s physical attributes.
Facing the possibility of the death penalty, Smith’s trial will commence with jury selection on Monday.
