Keith Ryan's Death: Searching for Answers

Questions are still swirling around the death of Keith Ryan, son of Globe sportswriter Bob Ryan. The younger Ryan was an attache in Pakistan, and it was believed that he had shot himself. However, suspicions arose that foul play was involved, the Globe reports.

The Ryan family is now in a state of waiting. Bob Ryan told Mike Underwood at the Herald, "We have no reason at this time to doubt the official version [of his son's death]."

Representative Ed Markey and the Department of Homeland Security are working to get Keith Ryan's body out of Pakistan so an autopsy can happen in the US. Much of the dispute over Keith Ryan's death involves the nature of the bullet wound in his head and whether or not it indicates suicide. Pakistan newspaper Dawn reports, "Sources at the hospital said Mr Ryan had a bullet wound in the back of his head. The bullet was still lodged in his skull, according to doctors. Had he committed suicide by shooting himself through the mouth, the bullet would have exited, according to the doctors."

Meanwhile, the Globe looked into the credibility of the Pakistan papers that are reporting the death, and they have a solid track record. But, given how the multiple different versions of how Benazir Bhutto died, it will a while before this is resolved.

Photo of security guard in front of Keith Ryan's Islamabad residence from Anjum Naveed/AP.