Maleah Davis Died By Homicidal Violence, Coroner's Report Says

HOUSTON — The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has ruled that 4-year-old Maleah Davis died as a result of "homicidal violence," according to a news report in KTRK. The ruling comes a week after the child's family laid her to rest in a private ceremony.

"The M.E. has ruled that the [cause of death] was homicidal violence, but the report is not done," Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said at a press conference on Friday. "In terms of the final M.E.'s report, we're still waiting for that."

The term "homicidal violence" in the report indicates that Maleah Davis' death was not an accident, Acevedo said.

Detectives in the case are still investigating the case, and have been speaking with forensic specialists as well as witnesses who may have information that could help investigators determine why Maleah Davis died, Acevedo added.

"Do not confuse not having an update with the case not proceeding," he said. "We are proceeding this case to every path it needs to go, we are leaving no stone unturned, and the end of the day, our hope and prayer is that we will charge the person or persons responsible for her death with the appropriate charges."

The child's decomposing remains were recovered on May 31 along an Arkansas highway, hours after Derion Vence, the prime suspect in the case, reportedly revealed to a Houston community activist where he dumped her body.

The remains were returned to Houston that day, and the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed on June 3 that they were Maleah's remains.

The report did not disclose any other details related to her cause of death, KTRK reported.

Vence, who was the last person to see Maleah alive, told investigators that he, Maleah, and his son were on the way to Bush Intercontinental Airport to pick up Maleah's mother, Brittany Bowens.

Vence told police he developed car trouble, and when he pulled over to check, he was assaulted and knocked unconscious by three men.

Vence was arrested on May 11 and charged with evidence tampering after police said they found blood inside his apartment that belonged to the little girl.

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• Coroner Identifies Remains Of Maleah Davis: Police
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• HPD Chief Certain Maleah Davis Was Murdered
• Finding Maleah: Police Look Near Stepdad's Home For Missing Girl

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