Wienckowski's family continues search for truth
The family of the 20-year-old woman found dead in a Buffalo garbage tote last year continues to search for the truth about her death. Amanda Wienckowski's relatives believe she was murdered, even though the Erie County Medical Examiner's office ruled her death an accidental drug overdose. Our Kaitlyn Lionti tells us about the latest in this ongoing story.
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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The family of Amanda Wienckowski was back in court last week, hopeful the pathologist they hired to do an autopsy on Amanda's body would be given access to the materials she needs to complete her report.
"She cannot, without all of the facts of what they did in Erie County when they found her, not finish the autopsy without this. If there was a document that she didn't have and they ruled their autopsy because of that, it would not be fair," said Leslie Brill Fink, Amanda's mother.
The pathologist, Dr. Silvia Comparini, provided the court with an affidavit about which materials she needs and why. But concerns were raised about releasing photos because of their nature.
"When the lawyer says, the attorney for Buffalo Police Department states he doesn't want these pictures released because they're graphic and horrific. The last time I knew when someone passed away from an overdose, it was peaceful. They weren't graphic and horrific. So what really happened?" said Brill Fink.
Amanda's family says they are committed to having 100 percent confidentiality of each item needed to complete the autopsy.
"We don't want it out there, no one would want it out there. Because it does represent as the city described so aptly in court, graphic and horrific. It's not something I want to share with anybody, it's not something I'd want anybody to share with me. And certainly not with Les and certainly not with the family," said Ken Fink, Amanda's Stepfather.
Now, its up to the judge to decide what happens next. Amanda's family remains hopeful they'll find the truth.
"We anticipate that honorable Judge Whalen will carefully review everything that's in front of him and we feel that with his judgement, we'll certainly come up with answers," said Fink.
The attorneys representing Erie County and the city of Buffalo could not be reached for comment.