In some young healthy guys agonal respirations may persist for several minutes after cessation of heartbeat. With no blood flow rigor mortis quickly sets in.

Wound to the back of the head was mortal, poor lad.
 
That's the worst condition ( next to disabled and alive) to be in for sure. Instant death is a blessing.
 
That would be so upsetting to people who don't understand what the true medical situation is. They'd think the boy was still alive (despite a crater at the base of his skull) because he's breathing. It's only natural to equate breathe with hope of recovery, so they might feel like continued efforts such as CPR are essential. I'm thinking the position of his arms is more like decerebrate rigidity than rigor.
 
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