Medical Examiner 'Astonished' by Hoffman Murder Case

Oakland County's Chief Forensic Pathologist knows a lot about the murder of Jonathan Hoffman, but he said Tuesday he'll never understand how a grandmother could kill her grandson. 

Speaking to the Optimist Club of West Bloomfield during their regular meeting at Stage Deli, Dr. Ljubisa J. Dragovic described the 911 call between Hoffman and a dispatcher as Sandra Layne shot the Farmington Central High School senior multiple times. She was convicted in March of second degree murder. 

Dragovic said he will never be able to forget the transcript of the 911 tape. The veteran medical examiner was "shocked and astonished" by the crime. 

"I have six grandkids, and I hope for some more," he said. "There's a special bond between a grandparent and grandchild." 

He discussed the conflicts between Layne and Hoffman, but added, "You ask the question why, why. I really don't know ... It's difficult to understand what burdens people, however young or old they might be." 

Dragovic said when he started as a medical examiner in Oakland County, he rarely saw deaths related to drugs. Now, there's not a day without a drug-related death, involving illegal and prescribed narcotics. 

The Optimist Club meets weekly on Tuesdays. To learn more, visit their website.