1. Abigail Bernardino
B Co 172nd SB
CMR 464 Box 2522
APO, AE 09226
Smithsonian Magazine Letter to Editor
MRC 513, P.O. Box 37012
Washington DC 20013
Dear Mr. Carey Winfrey,
How would you feel if your death was a mystery? Imagine being Otzi, a 5,000
+ year old man, with a mysterious death. Scientists are tied between whether the
Iceman was murdered or had died of a natural cause. Personally, I believe he was
murdered. From the evidence found, there are signs of him being murdered, but there
also signs of him dying from a natural cause.
In this situation, it’s hard to come to a conclusion of the type of death Otzi
experienced. As said before, my perspective in the situation is that Otzi was
murdered, and did not die of a natural cause. In an article about the Iceman’s
testimony, many of the evidence points to signs of Otzi being murdered. Evidence
such as an arrowhead found in his left shoulder promotes the belief of him being
murdered. Before being murdered, something else must have taken place. From the
information gathered, before Otzi was murdered, it’s believed that he may have been
in a battle. When Otzi was found, and was being extricated one of the workers tossed
an object aside. “The “discarded” artifact was in fact a dagger with a flint blade and a
wooden handle.” (Cullen 4). The dagger may have been used as a tool for defense.
Following this further, more evidence from a film called Iceman: Hunt for a
Killer proves that Otzi’s death was indeed a murder. Other than the arrowhead struck
in Otzi’s shoulder, more wounds were discovered. Besides more wounds, blood, from
another person was also found. The blood from the other mysterious person was
thought to be an enemy of Otzi. This indicates that Otzi was most likely in battle
before he died.
Furthermore, in a more recent article called Last Hours of the Iceman, it also
gives evidence of Otzi being killed. With new medical evidence, it suggests that the
enemy that shot Otzi was located below and behind him. In the exact area game
would be shot at by hunters to be taken down in one shot, is precisely where Otzi was
shot. After being shot, Otzi then went into hemorrhagic shock. "This is a lethal
wound. It was pretty quick. With this kind of bleeding, you don't go walking uphill
for hours." (Ruhli 4). In end, the Iceman gave in and bled out. With Otzi’s killer still
a mystery, so was the missing shaft of the arrow that had killed Otzi. "I believe—in
fact, I am convinced—that the person who shot the Iceman with the arrow is the same
person who pulled it out." (Vigl 5).

2. On the contrary, the perspective of others to think that Otzi died from a natural
cause can be reasonable. In evidence found, scientists believe there may have been
many natural ways Otzi could have died with. Some not exact but possible reasons the
Iceman could have died by are weather conditions being too harsh, a disease, or
starvation.
From all the evidence found it is still a mystery as to how the Iceman really
died. To have a perspective of thinking a possible murder, there is still evidence of a
natural cause for death. And vise versa. Hopefully, in time, all the information and
evidence gathered will make sense and come to one legit conclusion.
Sincerely,
Abigail Bernardino

3. Bibliographies
Cullen, Bob. “Testimony From The Iceman”. Smithsonian February 2003.
Iceman: Hunt for a Killer. Dir. Brando Quilici. Discovery Channel, 2003. DVD.
Hall, Stephan. “Last Hours of the Iceman”. National Geographic July 2007.