Autopsy finds possible sexual assault of 16-year-old

The 16-year-old girl who was found dead in San Francisco’s South of Market area earlier this year was potentially being sexually assaulted around the time of her death, according to disturbing new details released in an autopsy report.

The death of Victorria Moran-Hidalgo, a Stanislaus County teen who grew up in and out of the foster care system, was previously deemed suspicious and treated as a potential overdose.

The autopsy report, obtained by The Chronicle through a public records request, confirmed that the death was caused by the multiple drugs in her system — including fentanyl — but investigators could not conclusively determine the manner in which she died.

“The overall findings are most consistent with a death caused by acute mixed drug intoxication,” officials with the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner wrote in the report. “However, given the uncertain circumstances in which her body was found, the manner of death is best classified as undetermined.”

San Francisco police declined to comment on the report’s findings, citing an ongoing investigation.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 18, the city’s emergency services were dispatched to the area of 600 Minna St. on a report of an unresponsive female in the road, the medical examiner’s report states. The witness who called authorities said they had come upon the scene “during the course of a potential sexual assault.”

When the passerby approached, the man who was with Moran-Hidalgo fled the scene, the report states.

The passerby then noticed that the girl was unresponsive and administered Narcan — a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The girl did not regain consciousness, though, and was pronounced dead just after 7 a.m.

Officials at the medical examiner’s office noted that the girl was found partially undressed and in public view. They found no traumatic injuries, but noted some minor bruises on her legs and chest.

The report additionally noted evidence of a previous gunshot wound, with examiners finding two copper-colored metallic projectile fragments in her calf. A toxicology report found alcohol and various drugs in her system, including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. Swabs taken by examiners detected no evidence of sperm.

Anyone with information may call the SFPD Tip Line at 415-575-4444, or text TIP411.

Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Flowers were placed on the 600 block of Minna Street, where a teenager was found dead of a potential overdose in February.