County Coroner: Bevilacqua Died of Natural Causes
Hofman: 'No relationship' between Philadelphia judge's competency ruling and death of former Cardinal
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Former Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua died of natural causes, Montgomery County Coroner Walter I. Hofman said Thursday afternoon.
Hofman said he found no evidence of strangulation, suffocation, or other types of wounds or injuries on Bevilacqua's body.
Bevilacqua was on several medications, which Hofman said were found in the body in expected amounts, allowing for irregularities caused by the introduction of embalming fluid. Bevilacqua's body was examined after it had been prepared for interment by an Upper Darby funeral home.
The official cause of death was listed as arteriosclerotic heart disease, Hofman said.
"Elderly people with pre-existing diseases often die quite suddenly," Hofman said.
Bevilacqua died on Jan. 31 in Wynnewood at the age of 88, a day after Common Pleas Court Judge Teresa Sarmina ruled that he could be compelled to take the witness stand in the child sex abuse trial of three priests who served in the archdiocese during his 15-year leadership.
Hofman said he received "hate mail" and letters from "wannabe toxicologists" questioning the validity of the examination.
Patch editor James Myers attended Hofman's press conference in Norristown. He'll have more on this story later today.
Independent Voter
2:55 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
How much taxpayer money was wasted on this ridiculous endeavor? The man was 88, in poor health, and suffering from dementia. By definition, he did not die suddenly. Aside from that, his dementia meant there would be no possibility of any credible testimony. He may not have even had the capability to form intelligible sentences. The autopsy seems nothing more than a media profile event for Risa Ferman.
jm hill
6:50 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
There are other autopsy's of regular people that need the same amount of attention.
tom blair
10:28 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Lisa Furman is a Gloria Allred wannabe - she's hoping for some dark Vatican conspiracy to make her famous - and willing to spend our tax dollars towards that bigoted effort.
Victor B. Krievins
11:16 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Risa Ferman did what any good District Attorney should have done. Now there will be no question surrounding the Cardinals Death. Remembering the numerous cover ups regarding the child molestation, this was the proper procedure to follow.
Tom McMenamin
3:11 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
Here, Here Victor ! Any attempt to expose the Catholic church for the atrocities committed in the name of "God" is something that I'm behind (no pun intended)
Victor B. Krievins
3:27 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
Some people feel that depending upon who commits the crime, that is a deciding factor for a prosecution. One can only hope that when a Jury is selected, it will be an objective one that reviews all the facts. I am pleased to state that I have prosecuted three (3) Child Molestors. The number seems to be growing every day. It is amazing how some people have blinders on regarding the victims of this serious crime.