A Rare Case of Sudden Fatal Airway Obstruction Caused by an Undiagnosed Laryngeal Lesion.

Mechanical asphyxia is a severe condition caused by a physical blockage that impedes breathing in the upper airways, trachea, and lungs. We present a case of a 39-year-old man who died suddenly at home while getting ready for work. He had previously experienced shortness of breath and a sore throat. Despite consulting a pulmonologist, who ruled out lung diseases, no other specialist evaluations were conducted. We performed a comprehensive forensic investigation, including collecting medical history and criminological data, a forensic autopsy, and subsequent toxicological and histological analyses. The autopsy revealed a benign laryngeal lesion that completely blocked the upper airways. The cause of death was determined to be acute obstruction, leading to mechanical asphyxia. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive and timely medical evaluations to prevent serious life-threatening complications.