The story of a little one, Evelyn, and the sad circumstances surrounding her passing, is one that has touched many hearts, bringing forth a lot of questions about how she left this world. We're here to talk about the details that have come to light regarding what happened, drawing from official statements and court proceedings. It's a difficult topic, yet one that has been publicly discussed as authorities worked to find answers for her loved ones and the wider community.
The facts, as presented by those looking into the case, point to a very specific reason for her death. This information, you see, comes from various sources involved in the legal process, including testimony from people who examined the evidence. It's about piecing together what occurred, step by step, as investigators and legal teams worked through a truly tough situation.
As we look at the official findings, it's pretty clear that her passing was not a simple matter. The details shared in court and by law enforcement paint a picture of a tragic event, leading to significant legal action and a community deeply affected by the loss of a young life.
The initial moments of discovering what happened to Evelyn were, you know, really quite painful for everyone involved. Her small body was found, as a matter of fact, about a week after she had gone missing. The place where she was found was on a piece of land that belonged to family members, specifically to Meghan's father, her brother, and her grandmother. This discovery site, in Sullivan County, added another layer of sorrow to an already terrible situation, connecting the tragedy to people very close to the family. It was a moment that, basically, brought the hidden sadness out into the open for all to see.
The way her remains were found, in a trash can on her grandfather's property, just really emphasizes the disturbing nature of the circumstances. This detail, as I was saying, was reported as part of the crime investigation, painting a stark picture of the lack of care shown for a child's life. The fact that she had gone missing in December 2019 but was only reported as missing two months later, in February 2020, also highlights a deeply concerning delay in seeking help for her whereabouts. This timeline, in a way, made the search for answers even more urgent and, perhaps, more difficult for those trying to piece things together.
When the official findings about Evelyn's passing started to come out, they were, frankly, quite direct and very upsetting. Authorities stated that she had died because of asphyxiation. This term, asphyxiation, describes a situation where someone cannot breathe, and it means a lack of oxygen to the body, which can, of course, be fatal. It's a rather harsh way for anyone to lose their life, let alone a young child. This initial declaration from the people in charge set the stage for the serious nature of the investigation that followed.
Beyond just naming the cause, those looking into the matter also gave their opinion that her death was, actually, a homicide. This is a very significant statement, as it means someone else was believed to be responsible for her passing. The idea that this innocent child met such a heartbreaking and violent end, as a result of someone else's actions, was truly difficult for many to accept. The official listing of asphyxiation as the cause of her death was repeated in several different reports, making it a consistent finding across the various examinations.
So, when a forensic pathologist, a medical expert who examines bodies to figure out how someone died, looked at baby Evelyn Boswell's case, she also concluded that the death was a result of 'homicidal violence.' This expert, Matrina Schmidt, based her opinion on the evidence she reviewed. She also pointed out that 'positional asphyxiation' might have been involved. Positional asphyxiation is a specific type of breathing difficulty that happens when someone's body is in a position that stops them from being able to take in air, which, you know, can be just as deadly. This expert testimony really brought home the severity of what happened.
The period following Evelyn's discovery was, as you can imagine, filled with a lot of legal activity. The community, quite naturally, mourned her loss deeply while these legal battles began to take shape. By 2022, the court process was moving along, with pretrial hearings taking place. These hearings, basically, are meetings before a full trial begins, where legal teams discuss what information and evidence will be allowed to be presented to a jury. It's a way to sort out the details and make sure the trial runs smoothly, yet it's also a time where the groundwork for a serious case is laid.
The trial itself, particularly the one for Megan Boswell, who was facing many serious accusations, saw jurors listening to a lot of information. On the sixth day of her trial, for example, the people on the jury continued to hear from various individuals giving their accounts and expert opinions about Evelyn's death. This process of hearing testimony is a crucial part of how the justice system works, allowing all the facts and interpretations to be put before those who will make a decision. Megan Boswell, as a matter of fact, was facing multiple charges, some of which were quite serious felony accusations.