Remains of former Chile president Salvador Allende exhumed

The remains of Chile’s legendary president Salvador Allende whose cause of death remains a mystery, were exhumed in Santiago.

The forensic analysis is part of an effort to shed light on Allende’s death. Officials hope to determine whether the former president was in fact assassinated or decided to put an end to his life in the midst of the 1973 military coup.

The remains were taken from the Families´ mausoleum from Santiago General Cemetery to the forensic analysis lab nearby. Several relatives were accompanying the exhumation process including Allende´s daughter, Senator Isabel Allende.

The findings will resolve decades of controversy. Twelve forensic specialists were working on the exhumation including an anthropologist from the United Nations high commission for humanitarian missions.