[Pedantic_Lady]

Would it really be possible to determine what caused her heart failure 13 years later?

[Atchafalaya]

Potassium imbalance, no; spousal abuse leaving physical evidence, yes.

[Brandon]

The likelihood of finding anything definitive would be virtually nil. The likelihood that the Schindler's could find a doctor who would say, "Well, maybe, just possibly, this here thingy means ...." would be very high. That's probably the real reason for the cremation order -- to prevent a fishing expedition by some very angry and embittered people.

[Semper Paratus]

Very possible, heart scarring is persistent over a lifetime and there are characteristics that leave clues.

Late in his life my father had an MRI and the results showed, among other things, that he had a heart attack that he kept to himself!

[RLK]

Would it really be possible to determine what caused her heart failure 13 years later?

--------------------------

It may not have been heart failure. The right kind of neck hold will induce unconsciousness in 30 seconds and brain damage in three to five minutes. One would need to go back into her medical records. The concern about the autopsy is of recent evidence. Someone could hit her with an overdose of drugs and kill her next week, then burn the evidence. The hemlock society type clowns she's under control of would consider such an act one of ideological celebration.