Autopsy: McIver died of gunshot wound

An autopsy released Wednesday confirmed earlier reports that Diane McIver, the businesswoman shot by her husband in their SUV, died of a gunshot wound to the back.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s report listed the cause of death as homicide, which indicates that a person was killed by another person. It does not imply a judgment on the legality of the action.

Claud “Tex” McIver has said he shot his wife by accident. Atlanta Police continue to investigate and have said little about the case.

Diane McIver’s death has captured widespread attention. The McIvers were a wealthy, well-connected Atlanta power couple. He is a top labor attorney and influential member of the state Republican Party. She was president of Corey Airport Services based in Atlanta.

Tex McIver’s attorney, Stephen Maples, has said the couple were being driven home to Buckhead from their other home in Putnam County on Sept. 25 when they pulled off I-85 onto Edgewood Avenue due to traffic. Tex McIver was sitting in the rear seat and his wife in the front passenger seat when they spotted some people milling about and pulled a gun from the center console of the SUV. Maples said homeless people have been known to hang out under the overpass there.

Soon after, Tex McIver fell back to sleep while a family friend continued driving, Maples said. McIver told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he had the handgun wrapped in a plastic bag in his lap when he said he suddenly awoke near Piedmont Park and the gun went off.

The autopsy said the entrance wound was on the woman’s left middle back. It damaged her diaphragm, adrenal gland, left kidney, pancreas and stomach.

The bullet’s path was from right to left, from back to front and downward. The exit wound was on the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.