Shaniya Davis cause of death asphyxiation, autopsy shows she was raped (video)

The Shaniya Davis cause of death is asphyxiation and the autopsy revealed that the little five year old girl was raped. Mario Andrette McNeill has been charged with rape and first degree murder in addition to first degree kidnapping charges. A live press conference was held tonight at 8:00 p.m. and the additional charges were made public.

Reports state that Mario McNeill has remained in isolation since he surrendered to authorities on November 13, 2009, after being seen carrying Shaniya Davis in his arms in a hotel. Police say they do not believe that Shaniya Davis was killed inside the hotel. Read more

Autopsy Planned for Body Believed to be Shaniya Davis

The announcement was expected, yet it still had a funereal sadness when a medical examiner confirmed today that a body found in the woods was that of missing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis.

At the same time, Fayetteville police said they had “new information” about the case, prompting them to cancel a news conference scheduled for lthis afternoon. Police did say that additional charges are expected to be filed in the case.

The autopsy was to be performed in Chapel Hill at the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, a spokeswoman told ABCNews.com today. Police said a cause of death had not yet been determined. Read more