World-renowned forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee dies at age of 87 - March 27, 2026

[sds71]

Famed forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee died at the age of 87 on Friday at his home in Nevada, according to the University of New Haven.

Lee joined the university in 1975 and founded the school's foresic science program. He was a professor at the university for more than 50 years.

He came to prominence in the 1980s after his testimony in the so-called wood chipper murder trial. Lee's forensic examination and testimony helped the prosecution secure a guilty verdict against Richard Crafts, despite never finding the body of Crafts' wife.

Lee would go on to testify in or consult on many high profile cases, including the O.J. Simpson trial and the murder of JonBenét Ramsey.

He served as the chief criminalist for the State of Connecticut and director of the Connecticut State Police Forensics Science Laboratory from 1978 to 2000, according to the university.

His reputation came into question more recently when a judge ruled Lee gave false testimony during the trials of two men who were convicted of murder in the 1980s.

The convictions were overturned, and the men were released from prison after 30 years. The State of Connecticut paid $25.2 million to the two men in compensation.

Born in China in 1938, Lee came to the United States in 1964. He was predeceased by his wife and he leaves behind a son and daughter, and four grandchildren.

 

[PrairieWind]

Interesting. He has an interesting career for sure.

 

[arielilane]

He came to prominence in the 1980s after his testimony in the so-called wood chipper murder trial. Lee's forensic examination and testimony helped the prosecution secure a guilty verdict against Richard Crafts, despite never finding the body of Crafts' wife.

Rest peacefully, Dr. Henry Lee.

RSBM

One of my favorite movies Fargo.

In popular culture​

The special edition DVD of the 1996 film Fargo contains a statement that the Crafts case inspired the film,"Murder of Helle Crafts - Wikipedia"particularly the very end of the film where a character, played by Steve Buscemi, is killed and his body is put through a woodchipper.

The opening episode of Forensic Files was about Helle Crafts' murder. Murder of Helle Crafts - Wikipedia"

 

[sds71]

During the trial in Stamford, Connecticut, on Thursday, prosecutors disclosed that they recently received an email from a retired Norwalk police lieutenant who said a state crime lab official told him shortly after Flynn’s killing that she had been placed in a used body bag. The lieutenant, Robert Fabrizzio, said he was reporting possible evidence contamination.

Fabrizzio said the state crime lab official who told him about the body bag was Henry Lee, the famed forensic scientist known for his work on the O.J. Simpson murder case and other high-profile crimes across the country. Lee, who headed the crime lab at the time, died last month at age 87. A message left at a phone listing for Fabrizzio was not immediately returned.

Mistrial declared in 1986 case after report that slain girl was placed in used body bag

Marc Karun was on trial on murder and kidnapping charges in connection with the killing of Kathleen Flynn, a sixth grader who was attacked walking home from school.

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