Missing teenager Nora Quoirin survived in the Malaysian jungle for a week before she died from internal injuries caused by starvation, according to the results of her post-mortem examination.
The tragic teenager, who went missing from a holiday resort on August 4, died from "intestinal bleeding, likely from prolonged hunger and stress," medical examiners found.
Malaysian police said the 15-year-old had been dead for two or three days when she was found, meaning she managed to survive alone in the jungle for a week.
The post-mortem results raise the devastating prospect for Nora's parents Sebastien and Meabh that their daughter might have been saved had rescuers got to her in time.
Negeri Sembilan state police chief Mohamad Mat Yusop added that there was no evidence she had been kidnapped or sexually assaulted.
"For the time being, there is no element of abduction or kidnapping," he told a news conference at the hospital morgue.
"The cause of death was upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to duodenal ulcer, complicated with perforation... it could be due to a lack of food for a long period of time and due to prolonged stress," he said.
The police chief said there were also some bruises on the girl's legs but wouldn't cause her death, and said samples taken from her body will be sent to the chemistry department for further analysis.
He added that Nora's family can take her body home following the examination.
The London schoolgirl disappeared from the jungle resort of Dusun and was missing for 10 days
Her body was found near a waterfall a mile away from the resort where she was reported missing. She was said to have been excited about visiting the waterfall.
Nora's parents said on Wednesday that they hoped the post-mortem would provide answers on how the teen died following the discovery of her body in the jungle.
Their representatives said they had "questions" following the search teams finding the teen and the examination would guide their next course of action.
According to The Star in Malaysia, the family has taken on a lawyer to represent them, who indicated he may push for an inquest following the post-mortem.
“The family expects the police to do a thorough investigation into the incident, including criminal angles,” their lawyer, Sankara N Nair, said, according to the Irish Times.
Her relatives yesterday described the youngster, who was born with a rare genetic condition, as "the truest, most precious girl".
A statement said: "Nora is at the heart of our family. She is the truest, most precious girl and we love her infinitely.
"The cruelty of her being taken away is unbearable. Our hearts are broken.
"We will always love our Nora.
"We would like to thank all the people that have been searching for Nora and trying their best to find her.
"We thank the local people here and those far and wide for their prayers and support at this time.
"Nora has brought people together, especially from France, Ireland, Britain and Malaysia, united in their love and support for her and her family.
Timeline of the search for tragic Nora
Sunday August 4:
Nora is reported missing after her father discovers she is not in her bedroom at the Dusun resort at around 8am on Sunday.
The window was also open in the room that Nora had been sharing with her two siblings.
Family friend Catherine Cook tells PA: "It's out of character for Nora to go wandering off."
Monday August 5:
A British charity says Malaysian police are treating Nora's disappearance as a potential abduction, but officers say there is no sign of any foul play.
The Lucie Blackman Trust, a charity supporting missing people abroad, say police believe the teenager could have been taken.
However, speaking to press on Monday afternoon, Che Zakaria Bin Othman, deputy police chief of Negeri Sembilan, says: "So far there's no indication of foul play; however, investigations are still ongoing."
Tuesday August 6:
Nora's family release a statement saying: "Nora's family believe she has been abducted.
"We are especially worried because Nora has learning and developmental disabilities, and is not like other 15-year-olds.
"She looks younger, she is not capable of taking care of herself, and she won't understand what is going on.
"She never goes anywhere by herself. We have no reason to believe she wandered off and is lost."
Wednesday August 7:
Police say they are analysing unidentified fingerprints found in the family's hotel suite.
The prints were at an open window in a downstairs hall, not in the bedroom upstairs where Nora was sleeping with her siblings, deputy police chief Che Zakaria Othman says.
Friday August 9:
Police investigate whether footprints found in the forest where Nora went missing belong to the teenager.
State fire and rescue department assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar tells journalists: "Previously, our detective canines had spotted footprints, but when we conducted a search there, we couldn't find her."
Nora's family also reveal more about her condition, holoprosencephaly, as search crews play recorded messages from her mother, Meabh, through the forest in an attempt to reach the youngster.
The family say in a statement: "Nora is not like other teenagers. She is not independent and does not go anywhere alone.
"Nora can read like a young child, but she cannot write more than a few words. She has a good memory but she cannot understand anything conceptual. She is unable to do maths and so things like money are impossible to manage.
"She cannot make or receive phone calls independently."
Saturday August 10:
Nora's family thank the search teams involved since the teenager's disappearance.
Her mother and father, Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, say: "To be with us here, it means the world to us. We are so grateful for everything that you are doing for us, everyone who is helping here and not from here.
"We are extremely impressed by the effort, your expertise, your dedication and we hope you find Nora.
"And thank you so much."
Sunday August 11:
Nora has been missing for a week, with hundreds of rescuers still involved in the search operation.
Monday August 12:
A visibly emotional Mrs Quoirin makes a further appeal for her daughter to return home.
She tells television reporters: "Nora is our first child.
"She has been vulnerable since the day she was born.
"She is so precious to us and our hearts are breaking. We are appealing to anyone who has information about Nora to help us find her."
A reward of £10,000 - donated by an anonymous Belfast business - is made available for information leading to Nora's safe return.
Tuesday August 13:
A body is found beside a small stream, about 1.6 miles (2.5m) from the jungle resort of Dusun.
Hours later, police confirm Nora's family have identified it as the 15-year-old.
Police say their probe into what happened is looking into all possibilities including the "angle of criminal investigation".
Wednesday August 14:
The Lucie Blackman Trust releases a statement from the family in which they say: "Nora is at the heart of our family. She is the truest, most precious girl and we love her infinitely. The cruelty of her being taken away is unbearable. Our hearts are broken."
A post-mortem examination is due to take place to establish the cause of Nora's death.
Thursday August 15:
The results of Nora's post-mortem show that she died of internal injuries caused by "prolonged" hunger and stress and that there was no evidence she had been kidnapped or raped. She was likely to have been dead for two or three days when her body was found.
After the search concluded, a hiker has described how Nora looked “like she was sleeping” when she was discovered lying close to a stream.
Sean Yeap, a volunteer taking part in the search for the Irish-French teen, told Mail Online: “It looked like she was sleeping. Her head was resting on her hands. But we all knew she was dead.”
He detailed that that Nora’s body was not hidden or covered over with foliage, which could raise questions over why teams that had previously searched the area were unable to find her.
Mr Yeap, an insurance salesman, believes search teams passing through the area would have found it, had it been there and said: “The place where she was found is not easy to find.
"I wonder if she had been following the stream as there were no footprints which means she could have been walking in the water as it was not very deep.”
Belfast Lord Mayor John Finucane opened a book of condolence at city hall on Wednesday.
He was the first to sign the book in a show of solidarity with the family. Her mother, Meabh, is from the Northern Irish city.
The mayor said: "This is a story that has resonated with and struck home in Belfast.
"It is heartbreaking. I don't think this is something that would be easily dealt with in any circumstance but the fact that they are so far away from home in Malaysia.
