The Unanswered Questions of Renée Good's Death: Family Fights for Answers After Independent Autopsy Disputes Suicide Ruling

Imagine getting the call no parent ever wants to receive. For Mary Good, that nightmare became a reality when she learned her daughter, Renée Good, had passed away. What made the heartbreak even more profound was the immediate aftermath: authorities in Shreveport, Louisiana, quickly categorized Renée's death as a suicide, a conclusion that simply didn't sit right with her grieving family. You see, Renée wasn't just a name on a police report; she was a vibrant, forward-looking young woman with a new job, a recent promotion, and a whole life ahead of her. Suicide? Her family knew that just didn't add up.

Driven by an unwavering belief that there was more to Renée's story, her family took a courageous, albeit painful, step. They decided to commission an independent autopsy, pooling their resources to seek clarity beyond the initial police assessment. This wasn't an easy decision, but the stakes felt incredibly high. They turned to Dr. Michael Baden, a highly respected forensic pathologist with a wealth of experience, hoping he could shed light on what truly happened to Renée on that tragic day of March 10, 2022.

Dr. Baden's findings, released following his examination, sent ripples through the ongoing investigation and the family's resolve. He concluded that Renée had sustained a "contact gunshot wound to the head." Now, for those unfamiliar with forensic terms, a "contact wound" isn't just any gunshot. It specifically indicates that the muzzle of the weapon was pressed firmly against the skin at the moment it was fired. This critical detail, Dr. Baden asserted, makes the suicide ruling highly improbable and instead, he believes, points strongly towards a potential homicide.

Naturally, this independent medical opinion profoundly deepens the mystery surrounding Renée's death and intensifies the family's plea for justice. Mary Good, Renée's mother, has been vocal about her frustration and disbelief from the outset. She's consistently emphasized that Renée had no history of mental health struggles, nor any indicators that would suggest she was contemplating taking her own life. In fact, Renée was reportedly excited about her future, celebrating professional successes and making plans, which makes the initial suicide ruling all the more baffling for those closest to her.

Currently, the Shreveport Police Department acknowledges the family's concerns, stating that it remains an "ongoing death investigation." They haven't officially reclassified the case as a homicide, nor are they firmly sticking to suicide, but the independent autopsy has certainly added a significant new layer to their inquiry. Meanwhile, Caddo Parish Coroner Dr. Todd Thoma, who conducted the initial autopsy and ruled it a suicide, maintains his original conclusion, yet he acknowledges the family's right to pursue further answers.

For Renée's family, however, an "ongoing investigation" isn't enough. They are now passionately advocating for a full-fledged homicide investigation, believing that the evidence presented by Dr. Baden demands a more thorough and perhaps, a fresh look at all the circumstances surrounding her passing. Their hope, truly, is simple yet profound: to uncover the truth about Renée Good's death and ensure that if foul play was involved, those responsible are held accountable. It’s a mother’s tireless quest for justice, refusing to let her daughter’s story be defined by an explanation that just doesn’t make sense.