Barzan's head pulled off during hanging. Possible?

Answer 1

-----Yes, it does happen. There are "hangmen's tables" to prevent that, specifing how far a given weight person should be allowed to drop; they do not always work. Perhaps he had a weak neck for someone his weight. These days, not enough people are hanged for the hangman to get good at it. ---Jim

Answer 2

There are two bones at the base of your neck. One called the axis and one called the axis. The axis has a very sharp bone that runs through the atlas paralell to the spinal cord. During a routine hanging what will happen is that the sharp protrusion of the axis will go completely around the interior contour of the foramen of the axis and sever the spinal cord which is what causes the immediate death instead of strangulation. While it is possible that this could happen in severely obese subjects. I think its pretty unlikely because of all the connective tissue that runs through the spine and the muscles involved in holding the body together. If you look at any records of hangings in old times you'll be hard pressed to find even a single incident of accidental decapitation. Even more suspicious is how that region has something of a tradition of disrespecting the dead by decapitation to make a statement.

Answer 3

I dont think so, I mean the neck is linked to the spinal cord,and the resk of the back bone bones,so I honestly dont know how could mere hanging break all those bones completely,
but in the end im not a sicentist,so i cant be 100% sure.

Answer 4

Yes, if he was heavy &/or the drop was too long. It has happened.