Who was Elliott Smith’s girlfriend, Jennifer Chiba? What we know as coroner's alleged report reignites questions over singer's 2003 death

Jennifer Chiba was Elliott Smith's girlfriend and fellow musician. Chiba was dating Elliott at the time of his death and was the sole witness to Smith's alleged suicide. 22 years ago, Elliott passed away in his Lemoyne Street home in Echo Park, California. At the time, the cause of death was ruled as suicide.

According to Jennifer Chiba's statement at the time, she and Smith were having a petty argument, which blew out of proportion. She told the police that she needed some space from the singer and decided to lock herself in the bathroom, after which she heard a scream from the kitchen. She opened the door to see Elliott gasping over the kitchen sink with a knife in his chest. She took the knife out and proceeded to give him CPR, but he was pronounced dead 20 minutes after reaching the hospital.

In addition to the incident, another piece of evidence that supported Chiba's claims is the short note left on the counter. It reads:

"'I'm so sorry - love, Elliott. God forgive me."

Now, two decades later, the coroner's report has more details regarding Smith's untimely death. Keep reading to learn more about the latest report.

New findings from Elliott Smith's coroner's reports

22 years after Elliott Smith's alleged suicide, the police still have not closed the investigation. However, the suspicion of foul play came four months after the first coroner's report. It revealed that the stab wounds lacked hesitation, something that was commonly seen in self-inflicted wounds.

Small lacerations were also found on his hands and shoulder, which raised the question if Smith was actually defending himself.

The coroner wrote in the report:

"While his history of depression is compatible with suicide, and the location and direction of the stab wounds are consistent with self-infliction, several aspects of the circumstances… are atypical of suicide and raise the possibility of homicide... Additionally, the girlfriend's reported removal of the knife and subsequent refusal to speak with detectives are all of concern."

He added:

"Since a complete knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the stabbing is lacking, the mode will remain underdetermined until… sufficient additional information becomes available."

Other information that made Smith's suicide seem unlikely is the data shared by the LA Coroner's Office. It said:

"less than four percent of suicides recorded between 2001 and 2002 were due to 'sharp force trauma."

The majority of similar deaths preferred the wrist-slashing method.

Even after more than two decades, questions about Elliott Smith's death still linger. While his struggles with mental health made suicide seem possible, the strange details and conflicting reports tell a different story.

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