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A screen has been set up at a palm tree farm in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, on the 26th, where the body of Jang Mi-ran, missing for a long period, was found. Yonhap News - Seoul Economic Daily Society News from South Korea](https://wimg.sedaily.com/news/cms/2026/08/27/news-p.v1.20260827.21ebd14fa6e744ebb17b50c421412d26_P1.jpg "No Unusual Fractures Found in Autopsy of Missing Jeju Woman")
An autopsy by South Korea's National Forensic Service found no unusual fractures suggesting foul play in the body of Jang Mi-ran, 37, who was found dead in Jeju after being reported missing for an extended period.
The Jeju Provincial Police Agency released part of the autopsy report received from the National Forensic Service on the 27th. The service said no unusual fractures were found, including in the skull, cervical vertebrae and torso, but added that a fracture was found in the remaining portion of the hyoid bone.
The hyoid bone, a very thin bone, appeared separated in the middle in autopsy photographs.
The service noted, however, that advanced decomposition and partial skeletonization made it difficult to discuss trauma or asphyxiation, adding that the possibility that the fracture occurred during the post-mortem decomposition process could not be ruled out.
Police said the medical examiner identified the remains as those of the missing woman based on the forensic findings, and assessed that hanging could be considered a possible cause of death.
While police are keeping open the possibility of homicide, they consider the likelihood of a crime low, citing that Jang's mobile phone, gold bracelet and ring were still on her body and that there were no signs of resistance or a struggle.
Questions surrounding the case nevertheless persist. Bereaved family members told media outlets that Jang rarely went toward the palm tree farm where her body was found because she was afraid of the area, and no clear motive suggesting suicide has been identified.
In particular, the autopsy findings have failed to win public confidence because the body was found late and decomposition was severe, following what police describe as an inadequate response by a police officer surnamed Boo, who is suspected of falsely closing the missing person case. Police expect a more precise determination of the circumstances of death to emerge through a forensic analysis of Jang's mobile phone and detailed DNA testing.
