Why Is It Still Undetermined?? #truecrimestories #truecrimeshorts #crimejunkies #podcast | Forensic Files

This one is complicated because of the fact that Jojo didn't die right away, right?
In the hospital for days. >> During this hearing, the medical examiner testifies that there was water
present in Joseph's airways, but that doesn't necessarily mean drowning because Joseph had been on a ventilator
for several days before he died, and the ME testified that fluid in the airways can be consistent with prolonged
ventilator use. So, according to this ME, there is just no way to narrow down the list by
testing for drowning in cases like this, which means the autopsy can say asphyxia, meaning he couldn't get
oxygen. It can say that there is a concern for something, but it can't say how the oxygen deprivation happened.
Now, the state's argument is that if the toy chest theory doesn't work and drowning can't be ruled out and there is
no trauma, then the only explanation left is that someone caused the asphyxiation, and the only someone in
that house was Brandon. But the defense argues that it was an accident inside the toy chest.
>> How are we still talking about this toy chest? Like, it feels irrelevant at this
point. >> is undetermined. And [gasps] maybe maybe because this idea about a kid dying by being locked
in a toy chest didn't just come out of thin air for this case. I mean, I did a quick Google search, and there are
stories of children, mostly younger than Jojo, getting stuck in toy chests.

In the death of 6-year-old Joseph “Jo-Jo” King III, experts agree that he died from lack of oxygen.

But how it happened is still unknown.

The medical examiner testified that water was found in Jo-Jo’s airways—but that could be explained by days on a ventilator, not necessarily drowning.

With the toy chest theory in question and no clear evidence of trauma, investigators are left with multiple possibilities—and no definitive answers.

Jo-Jo’s death remains ruled undetermined. No one has been charged.

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Brief Summary

The episode examines Joseph's death, focusing on asphyxia, drowning possibilities, and the toy chest theory.

Key points

The Medical Examiner's Testimony. The ME explains that water in airways doesn't confirm drowning due to ventilator use.
The Toy Chest Theory. The defense argues the death was an accident involving a toy chest, while the state blames Brandon.

Episode highlights

The Toy Chest TheoryThe defense argues the death was an accident involving a toy chest, while the state blames Brandon.“If drowning can't be ruled out, the only explanation left is that someone caused the asphyxiation.”0:50Apr 4, 2026

Episode quotes

How are we still talking about this toy chest?

A moment of disbelief in the ongoing debate.

1:11WatchApr 4, 2026

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