GUILTY PA - Husband charged in cyanide poisoning death of Dr. Autumn Klein

[time]

I think she is (unless he was married more than once before) because homicide detectives went to Massachusetts to interview his ex-wife.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/sources-more-search-warrants-signed-relative-docto/nX7zk/

Oh, thank you....interesting.

 

[time]

Probably not relevant but worth noting.

"UPMC made almost a billion dollars in excess revenue, while at the same time claiming a non-profit status that shields them from being taxed like for-profit companies."

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/05/30/paul-wood-responds-to-cbs-investigative-report-on-upmc/

The mayor’s office is currently suing UPMC to revoke their non-profit status.

 

[southernnana]

Interesting! I wonder what or who caused this can of worms to be opened by CBS?

 

[jjenny]

News organizations sometimes love to do "exposes" on Universities. I don't think these profit issues have anything at all to do with this case.

 

[Pensfan]

Probably not relevant but worth noting.

"UPMC made almost a billion dollars in excess revenue, while at the same time claiming a non-profit status that shields them from being taxed like for-profit companies."

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/05/30/paul-wood-responds-to-cbs-investigative-report-on-upmc/

The mayor’s office is currently suing UPMC to revoke their non-profit status.

UPMC is not a hospital. It is a HUGE international (yes, international) health system.
http://www.upmc.com/locations/Pages/default.aspx
The mayor is also under serious investigation for corruption.

 

[Pensfan]

The death of his step mom didn't stop Robert's son marriage ceremony in May.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/wellesley/news/x1379221893/Wedding-Colucci-Ferrante#axzz2W8LfnP5u

I wonder why the son's mom isn't listed in the marriage announcement article. Is she also dead? All the article says is, "The groom is the son of Dr. Robert Ferrante, formerly of Canton." He had to have a mom, but she isn't listed.

 

[time]

The death of his step mom didn't stop Robert's son marriage ceremony in May.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/wellesley/news/x1379221893/Wedding-Colucci-Ferrante#axzz2W8LfnP5u

I wonder why the son's mom isn't listed in the marriage announcement article. Is she also dead? All the article says is, "The groom is the son of Dr. Robert Ferrante, formerly of Canton." He had to have a mom, but she isn't listed.

Pens... that's what I thought also, but look at posts above. LE claimed they were going to interview Ferrante's ex wife. Now, I'm wondering if his kids mom is dead, Ferrante married again and divorced, and then married Klein - or something of the sort?

Thanks for the info on the Mayor and UMPC

 

[time]

The death of his step mom didn't stop Robert's son marriage ceremony in May.

Somewhat weirdly that was posted May 16, 2013, but they were married Sept. 29, 2012

 

[Pensfan]

Somewhat weirdly that was posted May 16, 2013, but they were married Sept. 29, 2012

Thanks for noticing that. If his mom was deceased, would that have been listed in the wedding announcement (Parents were Robert Ferrante and the late blahblah)? Hmm. Does anyone know how many times Robert (Autumn's husband) has been married?

I am growing irritated with Pittsburgh detectives. There are many unsolved murders in Pittsburgh, but this one seems like a slam dunk.

 

[time]

Thanks for noticing that. If his mom was deceased, would that have been listed in the wedding announcement (Parents were Robert Ferrante and the late blahblah)? Hmm. Does anyone know how many times Robert (Autumn's husband) has been married?

I am growing irritated with Pittsburgh detectives. There are many unsolved murders in Pittsburgh, but this one seems like a slam dunk.

I didn't notice it the first twelve times I read it!! But after your comment, I kept thinking how strange it was.

Wondering how long it takes to see if the cyanide from Dr. Ferrante's lab matches the cyanide they found in Dr. Klein body - assuming they can do that?

 

[AlwaysShocked]

It is incorrect information that the Mayor of Pittsburgh is under investigation for corruption or anything else.

The Chief of Police of the City of Pittsburgh was found to have misappropriated funds, purchasing things like a television for his home and other items. He immediately resigned/was fired.

At the very same time it was announced that the Chief of Police was being charged, it was also announced that the Mayor WAS NOT involved and that he was NOT being investigated.
Shortly afterwards the Mayor announced he would not run for re-election.

Here is what would be the latest news on any investigations:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...his-job-despite-federal-investigation-691351/

Any news of on-going investigations seem to be related to valet parking.

 

[Pensfan]

It is incorrect information that the Mayor of Pittsburgh is under investigation for corruption or anything else.

The Chief of Police of the City of Pittsburgh was found to have misappropriated funds, purchasing things like a television for his home and other items. He immediately resigned/was fired.

At the very same time it was announced that the Chief of Police was being charged, it was also announced that the Mayor WAS NOT involved and that he was NOT being investigated.
Shortly afterwards the Mayor announced he would not run for re-election.

Here is what would be the latest news on any investigations:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...his-job-despite-federal-investigation-691351/

Any news of on-going investigations seem to be related to valet parking.

bbm
Ravenstahl says he's doing his job despite federal investigation
June 12, 2013 12:21 pm
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...e-federal-investigation-691351/#ixzz2WEczQV7h


Ex-bodyguard for Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl to meet with FBI
June 6, 2013 3:22 pm
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...nstahl-to-meet-with-fbi-690643/#ixzz2WEdmQ3DE

 

[Aristotle]

Wish this case would go away. I don't understand the words, but the news on drugs or treatments for ALS at Pitt would seem to be disappointing as of this past year. http://www.alsresearchcenter.pitt.edu/news/. Some trials were stopped.

 

[Aristotle]

In the link, Ferrante is listed as MD, and its funny I don't see that elsewhere.

 

[MMMoose]

If you're looking at the ALS link from your post, he's listed as PhD, MS--Master of Science--not MD.

 

[MMMoose]

A couple of thoughts:

1. Isn't it odd that Autumn's parents were driving over 5 hours to babysit in Pittsburgh when the 6 year old daughter could have been left in Baltimore just an hour from the conference in D.C.? Was it part of a plan to have Autumn's parents nearby when she died?
2. Ferrante is not a medical expert; he is a research neurologist--very different. Autumn was an MD, PhD.
3. Autumn was the person who was recruited to Pitt; her husband was the "trailing spouse" for whom a position was found. She was the big catch.
4. No one has indicated that any cyanide was found where Autumn worked whereas it has been documented that Ferrante ordered and received cyanide just prior to his wife's death.
5. According to a family member who is a long-time researcher, labs using cyanide have cyanide-specific antidote kitsU available in the labs for accidental exposure. If there was no such kit in Ferrante's lab then one could surmise that the chemical was ordered for some other use.

Autumn was a wonderful person; she didn't deserve this and thousands of people have been cheated of her medical brilliance.

 

[Aristotle]

I think it was an error to list Ferrante as MD in that post, from Pitt. What has me thinking, ..was Ferrante invested in any drug companies, companies whose trials might have been stopped..for what reasons? The timing is interesting. I also wonder if anyone knows if it is really possible to trace the type of cyanide used, as they reported they were doing, what are the markers? What insures the integrity of the toxicologists, besides, I guess, their reputations?

 

[colette]

Welcome to WS MMMoose, thanks for your insight into the case.

 

[Pensfan]

Welcome to Websleuths, MMMoose and Aristotle!

Thanks for pointing out that it was odd for Autumn's parents to drive out to Pittsburgh when their grandchild could have been quickly dropped off at their home in Baltimore.

Was Dr. Klein the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th wife of Ferrante?

The life insurance policy benefit for UPMC physicians is in excess of $1,000,000. She could have purchased more insurance in addition to this.

 

[toscaxyz]

Wouldn't a six-year-old child have to miss school if she went to stay with her grandparents during the conference? That may be the reason why the grandparents were planning to travel there.