Minerva Perez, 41, "died of acute bronchial asthma precipitated by a fire caused by a flammable liquid and burns of 33 percent of total body surface," said Ellen Borakove, an ME spokeswoman. "The death was caused by the actions of another person."
Perez caught fire in the bathroom of the University Heights apartment of a friend, Mildred Sanchez, 62.
Despite the ruling, cops still believe the Feb. 24 death was a tragic accident. Sanchez initially told cops that she had nothing to do with the alleged ritual, saying Perez doused her nude body with flammable cologne and became engulfed in flames when she held a candle too close.
Sanchez also said she tried to put out the fire with her hands, and denied practicing Santeria, an African-based religion. But Sanchez has changed her story, telling cops last week that she participated in the religious ritual, police sources told The Post.
However, she still maintains the death was an accident caused by the victim.
"She said she took some lotion which was olive oil and rubbed it all over Perez's body," said one of the sources. "She then sprinkled rum on Perez's body. And while she was doing it, Sanchez was holding a [lit candle that caught fire because it] was too close to her body."
Perez, of Riverdale, underwent the spiritual cleansing hoping to remedy problems with her boyfriend.
A spokesman for the Bronx DA said the case is under review.
