SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The evening gown and makeup of a beauty queen tested negative for pepper spray, forensic experts said Friday, casting doubt on claims that her belongings had been doused with the chemical in a bid to sabotage her win.
But a delay of at least four days in submitting the items for testing could have affected the outcome, said Abigail Marrero of the island’s Forensic Science Institute.
Pageant officials could not be reached Friday to explain why the items had not been turned over sooner.
Miss Puerto Rico Universe winner Ingrid Marie Rivera was composed while strutting before pageant judges last week but backstage stripped off her clothes and applied ice bags to her face and body as she swelled and broke out in hives.
