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Autopsy: Charlotte bride-to-be strangled before apartment set on fire

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An autopsy report reveals that a beloved 27-year-old college counselor was strangled inside her southwest Charlotte apartment in June before it was set on fire.

Amanda Strous, who was a counselor at Central Piedmont Community College and a bride-to-be, suffered injuries including burns and blunt force trauma.

The report shows that Strous was only wearing bathing suit bottoms and that her mouth was reportedly covered with duct tape that emergency crews had to remove.

A rape kit was performed and turned over to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Strous’ neighbor, Matthew Benner, is charged with her slaying.

He lived in the apartment directly above her.

Benner fled to Nevada right after her death and search warrants released last week showed he had inquired about dating Strous and her friend at one point.

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