A Question of Murder [Hardcover]

Cyril H. Wecht (Author), Dawna Kaufmann (Author), Ann Rule (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2009

No one has performed more autopsies in high-profile cases than Dr Cyril Wecht. During the past four decades, he has dissected over 16,000 bodies to determine how and why they died. He has testified in hundreds of trials and exhumed dozens of corpses. He's investigated the deaths of presidents and princes, coal miners and Hollywood stars. From the tragic homicides of Laci Peterson and Nicole Brown Simpson to the mysteries that surround the deaths of Jon Benet Ramsey and Natalee Hollaway, CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, the "New York Times", and scores of other publications constantly call upon Dr Wecht to provide his expert analysis.In this new book, Dr Wecht and true-crime journalist Dawna Kaufmann present five fascinating mysteries: Who or what killed Anna Nicole Smith's young son, Daniel? Who or what killed Anna Nicole Smith? Was her son's death associated with her own demise just months later? Dr Wecht considers whether someone attempted to get one or both of them out of the way. Who killed twelve-year-old Stephanie Crowe, who was found stabbed to death in the hallway of her home? Dr Wecht's acumen helped straighten out a baffling whodunit that had left local law enforcement going down the wrong path. Should David Westerfield be on death row for the murder of his seven-year-old neighbour, Danielle van Dam? What were the mistakes and victories in that dramatic trial? During the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, did medical professionals at a distinguished New Orleans hospital purposely inject elderly patients with heart-stopping medications? What does the evidence say?The combined expertise of one of the leading forensic pathologists in the world and an accomplished true-crime journalist come together in this riveting page-turner filled with many details about these notable cases available nowhere else.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An expert who has consulted on investigations ranging from JFK's assassination to the murder of Laci Peterson, forensic pathologist Wecht dissects five recent high-profile cases. The opening chapters cover the deaths of former Playboy centerfold Anna Nicole Smith and her 20-year-old son, Daniel. Rumors abounded, and Wecht—called in by Smith's lawyer and friend Howard K. Stern to perform a second autopsy—determined that Daniel and Smith both died of accidental drug overdoses. In the murders of 12-year-old Stephanie Crowe in 1998 and seven-year-old Danielle van Dam in 2002 in their San Diego homes, Wecht agreed with prosecutors who argued that Crowe had been stabbed by a mentally unstable transient, but in the van Dam case, he concluded that the girl was kidnapped and later killed by a neighbor. In the most compelling section, Wecht explores the case of a doctor accused of administering fatal doses of morphine to nine hospital patients during Hurricane Katrina. But fascinating as the cases are, and though Wecht's breadth of forensic knowledge and experience is undeniable, these stories lack cohesion and too often veer into unnecessary minutiae. (Oct.)
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Review

"Fantastic forensic detail. Great mystery writing. The reader is pulled right into A Question of Murder." -- Dr. Henry C. Lee, Chief Emeritus for Scientific Service for the state of Connecticut, and author of Forensic Files, Cracking Cases and Cracking More Cases

"From the morgue as a forensic pathologist to the courtroom as an expert witness, Dr. Cyril Wecht gives the deceased a voice. This thrilling book explains the process he goes through to determine if a death is suspicious and needs to be dealt with by the criminal justice system." -- Dr. Michael M. Baden, former Chief Medical Examiner for New York City, and host of HBO's series, "Autopsy."

"What a good combination: One of America's leading medical detectives paired with a very savvy crime reporter. Readers will enjoy A Question of Murder." -- Robert K. Ressler, M.S., an author and co-founder of the FBI's Violent Criminal Apprehension Program.

"You might think someone who wrote true-crime all day would look for lighter reading. That's often true, but I was completely fascinated with A Question of Murder and read it far into the wee hours. Cyril Wecht is among a handful of outstanding forensic pathologists--his memory and files are filled with details of infamous death investigations. Now he shares his stories. Dawna Kaufmann co-authors with a style and fluidity that makes the pages fly by. This book is for the intelligent true-crime devotee who searches for the secrets behind the secrets in the most incredible cases of our time. I thought I knew the hidden details, but I found I didn't. This will become a classic in the genre. Spellbinding." -- Ann Rule, the author of The Stranger Beside Me, Too Late to Say Goodbye, and 27 more true-crime books

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 347 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159102661X
• ISBN-13: 978-1591026617
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cyril H. Wecht, MD, JD, one of the world's leading forensic pathologists/lawyers, is the author or co-author of A Question of Murder, Tales from the Morgue, Mortal Evidence, Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?, Grave Secrets, Cause of Death, and hundreds of professional publications. He has served as president of both the American College of Legal Medicine and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and has appeared on numerous nationally syndicated television programs, including Dateline NBC, 48 Hours Mystery, 20/20, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, Geraldo at Large, Issues with Jane Velez- Mitchell, and many others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!, January 6, 2009

By 

Jessie - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Question of Murder (Hardcover)

I could not put this book down!! It is fast paced, well written and not overly technical. I preordered it as I was happy to hear about a book which featured both the Danielle Van Dam and Stephanie Crowe cases. I followed these cases diligently, and even watched the Van Dam case on TV. Nothing was written about VanDam and very little about Crowe after the trials, and these were two very interesting cases. It was a surprise to learn that there were additional details which I never knew about, but I learned now after reading the book! And even if you can't stand her, the information about Anna Nicole and her son is fascinating too! I have my own opinion about this though and I wish that Florida would reopen an investigation into Anna's demise. I highly recommend this book!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comes from a forensic pathologist who has dissected the greatest, March 14, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Question of Murder (Hardcover)

A QUESTION OF MURDER: COMPELLING CASES FROM A FAMED FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST comes from a forensic pathologist who has dissected the greatest, performing autopsies on over 16,000 bodies to determine why and how they died. His expertise lends to a true-crime expose considering such fascinating cases as those of Anne Nicole Smith, murder victim child Stephanie Crowe, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

5.0 out of 5 stars New Info, December 30, 2011

By 

hb - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Question of Murder (Kindle Edition)

New Information on crimes I have been watching and reading about for years. From Cyril's point of view, which I am most interested in. First book I have read of Mr. Wecht and I bought all his others!