Family on quest for answers about death

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB0 - Her frozen body was found stuffed inside a Buffalo garbage tote more than seven months ago.

Amanda Wienckowski's death was eventually ruled an accidental overdose.

But her family believes there's more to the story.

"Every day I try to find out what happened. Every day," said Leslie Brill Midzinski, Amanda's mother.

Leslie shields the sadness by wearing sunglasses.

She's haunted by the unresolved circumstances surrounding her daughter's death.

"I want justice for Amanda. Amanda doesn't deserve this," Leslie said.

In her quest for answers, Leslie and her attorney appeared before a Niagara County Surrogate Judge, asking him to order Buffalo Police and Erie County Medical Examiners to turn over all records pertaining to the death of Amanda Wienckowski.

Eight months ago, the body of the 20 year old Lewiston woman was found in a garbage tote behind a Buffalo Church.

Medical examiners declared her death accidental, likely a cocaine overdose.

Her mom believes she was murdered.

"Someone doesn't just end up naked, folded up and frozen solid with date rape drug in their blood in a garbage tote," said Attorney Steven Cohen.

The presence of GHB might not have killed Amanda, but it raised suspicion.

"This is a drug you give to someone to make them docile to take advantage of them," said Cohen.

While police have previously said that the case won't be treated as a homicide unless there's a new declaration by the medical examiner, city attorneys now declare it is the reason records can't be released.

"You would not want to impede the prosecution, the ultimate prosecution of the perpetrator," said Buffalo City Attorney Diane O'Gorman.

But if there is an open investigation, it's news to Amanda's mom.

Leslie said, "Has anyone reached out to say 'hey this is what we're doing?' Not one."

Amanda's family is well aware that she made some poor choices in her short life, but none the less are determined to find out exactly what happened.

"It's horrible. Every day is a challenge to wake up and not know," Leslie said.

Leslie's attorney claims that Niagara County Surrogate Judge Matt Murphy has the power to order police and the Medical Examiner in Erie County to hand over documents because Amanda lived in Niagara County and he oversees her estate.

The Judge's decision is expected within the next two weeks.