Joshua Perper
Joshua Perper | |
|---|---|
| Broward County Chief Medical Examiner | |
| In office July 1, 1994 – October 30, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Wright |
| Succeeded by | Darin Trelka (Acting) |
| Allegheny County Coroner | |
| In office January 4, 1982 – July 1, 1994 | |
| Preceded by | Sanford Edberg |
| Succeeded by | F. James Gregis (Acting)[a] |
| Allegheny County Coroner Acting | |
| In office January 9, 1980 – March 2, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Cyril Wecht |
| Succeeded by | Sanford Edberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 17, 1932 Bacău, Romania |
| Died | July 12, 2021 (aged 88) Boca Raton, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sheila |
| Alma mater | Hebrew University of Jerusalem Johns Hopkins University |
| Occupation | Forensic pathologist Toxicologist |
| a.^ Gregis held the title of Acting Coroner from the date of Perper's resignation in July 1994, until Cyril Wecht was elected to permanently fill the vacancy. | |
Joshua Perper (December 17, 1932 – July 12, 2021) was a noted forensic pathologist and toxicologist. He served as the Chief Medical Examiner of Broward County, Florida for seventeen years, during which time he conducted autopsies on a number of famous individuals, including Anna Nicole Smith. Prior to his appointment to that position, he served as Allegheny County's Coroner serving metro Pittsburgh.
Early life and professional career
Perper was born in
Allegheny County Coroner
In 1980, Wecht was elected to the
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner appointment
In February 1991, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to name Perper the County's new Chief Medical Examiner.[6] While Perper initially accepted the posting, he backed-out of the job two months before he was to begin his duties. Perper cited a variety of reasons behind his decision, including the economic–media reports which indicated Perper and his wife, a real estate agent, believed they could not afford the kind of home to which they had become accustomed—and the emotional—Perper's wife also did not want to leave behind the couple's friends.[7]
He would therefore remain Allegheny County Coroner for another three years.
Broward County Chief Medical Examiner
Perper did resign as Allegheny County Coroner in 1994, after he was appointed Chief Medical Examiner of
Notable autopsies
Krissy Taylor
Perper performed the
Steve Bechler
Perper performed the autopsy of Steve Bechler after the pitcher's death on February 17, 2003. According to Perper: "It is my professional opinion that the toxicity of ephedra played a significant role in the death of Mr. Bechler, although it's impossible to define mathematically the contribution of each one of the factors in his unfortunate death due to heatstroke."[9]
During the investigation Perper interviewed Bechler's family. He found that Bechler was overweight, out of shape, was not yet accustomed to the warm and humid weather in South Florida, was on a primarily liquid or semi-liquid diet, did not feel well or eat the night before he collapsed and had high blood pressure, was using Xenadrine and had abnormal liver functions.[10]
Anna Nicole Smith
Perper oversaw as Gertrude M. Juste and Stephen Cina examined and autopsied the body of Anna Nicole Smith in 2007. He also had significant involvement in the hearing deciding the fate of her body and has made numerous TV appearances on Nancy Grace and various other shows in relation to this. Perper revealed his findings that Smith's death was due to an accidental lethal combination of therapeutic levels of 3 benzodiazepines and chloral hydrate. Chloral hydrate was believed to be the major contributing factor. An infection in her left buttock was also a contributory factor. After reviewing evidence in collaboration with legal authorities, he judged the death "accidental" and not suicide or homicide, or death by natural causes.[11]
Bernice Novack
The autopsy of Bernice Novack [widow of Fountainbleau Hotel owner Ben Novack Sr.] in 2009 was one of his worst cases, and damaged his reputation a great deal. Initially Perper opined her death to be accidental as a result of a slip and fall. Three months later, evidence gathered that her daughter-in-law Narcy Novack had in fact murdered her. In the face of new evidence [gathered by police; not by him], he promptly reclassified Bernice's death as a homicide.[12]
Retirement
In September 2011, Governor Rick Scott announced he would not reappoint Perper to another three-year term as Chief Medical Examiner. No reason was given officially,[12] but it is possible, it was due to his botching up of Novack's autopsy. Additionally, in 2011, his 49-year-old son, Dr. Zvi Harry Perper, was arrested and charged with racketeering and drug trafficking.[12] However, Perper expressed surprise at the decision, and subsequently announced his intention to resign at the end of October of that year, and enter retirement.[13]
He died on July 12, 2021.[14]
See also
- Microscopic Diagnosis in Forensic Pathology ISBN 0398039690
- When to...CALL THE DOCTOR! Your A–Z Guide to Illness, Injury and Today's Medicine ISBN 1883527112
- Self-assessment of current knowledge in forensic pathology and legal medicine: 1,100 multiple choice questions and referenced answers ISBN 0874881781
References
- ^ "Joshua Perper Obituary (2021) - Boca Raton, FL - Sun-Sentinel". Legacy.com.
- ^ "Wecht Resigns As County Coroner". The Pittsburgh Press. January 9, 1980. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
- ^ "Wecht Reported Ready to Quit Coroner Post". The Pittsburgh Press. January 8, 1980. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
- ^ O'Toole, James (March 3, 1981). "Edberg wins coroner title in court". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
- ^ Root, Dougals (November 4, 1981). "Wecht, Perper Aides In Shoving Match". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ McMillan, Penelope (February 8, 1991). "New Coroner in Middle Ground". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ Simon, Richard (March 1, 1991). "New Coroner Backs Out of L.A. Job". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ "Perper named to Fla. post". The Observer-Reporter. April 10, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
- ^ Chass, Murray (2003-03-14). "Pitcher's Autopsy Lists Ephedra as One Factor". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
- ^ Chass, Murray (2003-03-19). "BASEBALL; Varied Factors Caused Pitcher's Death". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ^ "Anna Nicole Smith Autopsy Released". The Smoking Gun. Retrieved April 10, 2007.
- ^ a b c Christensen, Dan (September 1, 2011). "Governor refuses to reappoint Broward medical examiner who autopsied Anna Nicole Smith". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ Trischitta, Linda (September 7, 2011). "Medical examiner Perper takes shot at Scott as he resigns". The Sun Sentinel. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ "Former Broward Medical Examiner Joshua Perper Dies At 89". CBS Miami. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- Bodley, Hal (2003-03-13). "Medical examiner: Ephedra a factor in Bechler death". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
- Lebovich, Jennifer; Trenton, Daniel (2007-10-10). "Perper ponders new high-profile mystery puzzle". Miami Herald. [permanent dead link]
- Scwed, Mark (2007-02-20). "Key players in Anna Nicole Smith case". Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
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