[Leep]

“foul play” was ruled out”

Then why the autopsy?

[mewzilla]

If it was an unattended death, state and/or local law may make an autopsy mandatory, but how they can rule out foul play so soon is beyond me.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

In Massachusetts, as in most other states, an unattended death REQUIRES an autopsy.

[Carriage Hill]

For the Death Certificate; many states require it. If significant life insurance is involved, it’d mandatory.