Cause of Death [Paperback]

Cyril H. Wecht (Author), Mark Curriden (Author), Benjamin Wecht (Author), F. Lee Bailey (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1994

Using new medical evidence to challenge conventional explanations, a forensic pathologist reexamines the murders of the Kennedys, the death of Elvis Presley, and the cases of Jean Harris, Sunny von Bulow, and others. Reprint. K.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

If you like conspiracies, red herrings and convoluted reasoning, you'll love this book. Wecht, a forensic pathologist, has testified in cases argued by the likes of F. Lee Bailey and Alan Dershowitz. This book, though interesting in parts, is uneven as it rehashes cases involving famous and not so famous deaths. Wecht opens with the three Kennedy brothers: JFK was not killed by Lee Harvey Oswald alone; there was someone on the grassy knoll, he contends. Wecht discusses the mystery of JFK's missing brain (he indicates that Robert Kennedy may have taken it) and even suggests that the President's body should be exhumed. As for Robert Kennedy, Wecht acknowledges that a slug taken from RFK's neck was traced to Sirhan Sirhan's gun, but states that Sirhan did not kill RFK. Regarding Ted Kennedy and the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, Wecht notes that "there's very little new information or evidence," yet he regurgitates theories dealing with the botched investigation. Other celebrity cases involve Jeffrey MacDonald, Jean Harris and Claus von Bulow--all of whom he believes to be innocent of the crimes of which they're accused. And he does a thorough work-up on Elvis Presley. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In this fascinating book, a forensic pathologist relates his experiences with a dozen murders or supposed murders. As he does, he makes clear the education, experience, and character needed to make a good medical examiner as well as what such an individual should do. Although his case studies are the kind that encourage lurid treatment, Wecht deals primarily with hard evidence and his own substantial involvement when sloppy work by police and coroners made solutions either much harder or impossible. Those whose deaths Wecht reports on range from John F. Kennedy (whose case consumes one-fifth of the text) through Elvis Presley to Delbert Ward, who was made famous by the award-winning documentary film, Brother's Keeper. Who was the second shooter in Dallas (Wecht does not buy the conspiracy theory)? Who was the second shooter with Sirhan? What actually happened at Chappaquiddick? Such are the questions Wecht sought to answer. Especially interesting are the cases of Dr. Charles Friedgood ("one of [Wecht's] most bizarre cases"), of Capt. Jeffrey MacDonald, M.D. (the most troubling for Wecht), and of others whose demises are less renowned but as provocative. William Beatty --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (November 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451181417
• ISBN-13: 978-0451181411
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,396,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a Feel Good Hit, April 17, 2002

By 

John G. Hilliard (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cause of Death (Library Binding)

Warning, you have to be just a bit morbid to pick up this book. The dust jacket says it all, this author has dug through the autopsy reports of some famous people to find the "real" cause of death. Keeping the tabloid effort of the publisher aside, this is a somewhat interesting book if only from a "looking at an accident" form of macabre curiosity. As far as the writing goes, the author does a good job of keeping the complex medical terminology down to a minimum and when used is careful to explain them in layman's terms. Overall interesting and well-written if you are in to this type of book.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forensic Facts on the Famous and the Unknown, June 29, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cause of Death (Library Binding)

Cyril Wecht is a famous forensic pathologist, or medical examiner. This book contains some stories about cases, some famous, some not, that he investigated or has been involved with.

One is the assassination of JFK. ...He discusses some of the evidence that he has seen (of the autopsy and the doctors' testimony). He was responsible for discovering that JFK's brain is missing; it is evidence for the number of bullets and their path. Hidden evidence?

The other is the assassination of RFK. The "tattooing" marks on Robert Kennedy's right ear prove that he was shot in the right rear of his head by a gun held about 2 inches from behind. Yet Sirhan was no closer than 4-5 feet from his front. He thinks a better attorney would have gotten him off.

Both of the above cases had political effects that continue to affect us to this day. Dr. Wecht was a consultant to the movie "JFK" by Oliver Stone.

Dr. Wecht is from the Pittsburgh area, was involved in politics, and held various elected (Democratic) offices as Penna. Coroner and County Commissioner....

The book tells of some of the other interesting local cases that he was involved with. It is entertaining and educational.

The book is worth reading because of the chapters on JFK and RFK, and the other stories are educational and entertaining. He also consulted with the Los Angeles medical examiner who was the model for "Quincy, M.E.", a usually entertaining TV series from the early 80's. (I think it was one of the few that realistically showed the "personality conflicts" that occur between allied departments, and because of budgets.)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars riveting, January 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cause of Death (Paperback)

This book is excellent-I couldn't put it down! I challenge anyone to read this well written, unbiased, and informative piece of work and then say with any degree of certainty that you know who did it.(especially the chapter on the O.J evidence) Cyril Wecht is a genius in my book!