Cause of Death: The Final Diagnosis

by cyril-h-wecht-etc-mark-curriden-benjamin-wecht, Mark Curriden, Benjamin Wecht

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.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Medicine, Science, History

314 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[El · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cyril Wecht, a longstanding and popular forensic pathologist, has been more in the news recently for his alleged actions surrounding his practice than for any recent cases. He has worked on some of the largest medicolegal cases in America, many of which are detailed in this book published in the early 90s. The first, and longest, chapter deals with his position on the assassination (and cover-up) of JFK. From there he moves on to RFK, and, logically, on to Ted Kennedy's misfortune at Chappaquiddick. From there the cases he worked on and discuss in this book are less popular, though not necessarily unfamiliar, stories: Elvis Presley, Jeffrey McDonald, Jean Harris, etc.

Dr. Wecht has worked on many controversial cases, and in this book he talks about his experiences working on them in the public eye. He discusses conspiracies (such as in the Kennedy cases) and cover-ups, false and incorrect information from other top medical examiners, police officers, and lawyers, suspicions, and his own personal opinion as to the many truths.

As a local and prominent figure I have only vaguely followed the current Wecht news as it is hard to avoid. I was given this book to read by a co-worker who had it sitting at her desk as I pathetically lamented the fact that I left the book I was currently reading at home and my commute on the bus is a horror without a book to read; otherwise I can not say that I would have picked it up under normal circumstances. I dig true crime, but just looking at the cover which advertises that Wecht "sets the record straight" on JFK, RKF and others, I probably would have turned it down had I had a different book on hand to read. It is impossible to not know the stories of the Kennedys, and personally I thought I had heard all of the legitimate suggestions surrounding the assassinations, so I would not think that I would find any interest in any other information. However, I found I was interested. I place that blame on Dr. Wecht himself for his matter-of-fact writing style, his "tell it as it is" attitude.

Whatever his personal problems are, whatever his current legal problems are, does not change the fact that he truly is a brilliant man and clearly at the top of his game professionally. He is sought after across the country to work on cases; after reading this, I can understand why. He seems to be just a good ol' Pittsburgh man, just out to learn the truth.

[Mystereity Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cause Of Death Interesting book filled with details about cases the author, noted forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht, was asked to review in the course of his life, including the assassinations of JFK and Bobby Kennedy, Elvis, and other high profile murder investigations.  Although the subject matter can be a little dry, the facts were presented in an easy to read and straightforward manner.  Although there was a slight hint of "I was right, they were wrong" sentiment, I would hesitate to call it arrogance.  More frustration at his sound scientific findings disregarded because of politics or ineptitude.
 
The first quarter of the book was taken up by the Kennedys, from JFK's assassination to the killing of Bobby Kennedy to Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick.  I confess that I've never bought into all the hype surrounding the assassinations of JFK and Bobby, but the questions raised in the book about the findings certainly makes it difficult to deny a government cover up.  As for Teddy, he deserved all he got, in my opinion.
 
The rest of the book was high profile cases, such as Elvis Presley's death and whether it was suicide, an overdose or a heart attack, to the case of Jean Harris, who was convicted of murdering Scarsdale Diet doctor Herman Tarnower, to Claus Von Buelow who was accused of trying to kill his wife by injecting her with insulin.  Again, Wecht's findings were neatly laid out, rational and fascinating.  I had little knowledge of the cases before I read the book, so I don't know how it stacks up against other sources, but his arguments were certainly believable.
 
Overall, a great book that looked behind the scenes of forensics at some of the most sensational crimes of the late 20th century. 

[Jennifer Warnock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting..
This author is a person I would like to have lunch with, and listen to his anecdotes.
Fortunately, there are more of his books for me to delve into !

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing anthology of 12 forensic cases, most of them nationally known. Wecht, a longtime pathologist in Pittsburgh, has performed more than 12,000 autopsies and reviewed 25,000 others, typically as an expert witness in a court case. His most compelling chapters detail the botched investigations of the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers. He rips apart the Warren Commission report as laughable, and offers his own theory about the JFK murder, cautioning it is just an educated guess. He emphasizes that the case can never be completely solved until John Kennedy's brain is found. (An appendix on that issue surmises that Bobby Kennedy was the last person to know where the brain was being kept.) And he raises the question that many others have pondered -- why hasn't the Kennedy family, especially its younger members, pressed for complete reinvestigations of both murders?
Other chapters that I found more interesting than I expected concerned the Jean Harris conviction in the Dr. Tarnower shooting in Westchester County and the Sunny von Bulow poisoning in Newport. The Delbert Ward case in upstate New York was a disturbing case study of how a retarded person can be talked into a confession.
Some readers may be put off by Wecht's frequent boasting of his stellar credentials and forensic breakthroughs. I considered them as just more evidence of the many flaws and mistakes in the US criminal justice system, even at the highest levels.

[Greg Parrott · Rating 3 out of 5]

High profile cases, but...

Dr. WeChat may be a superb pathologist and lawyer, but he seems rather taken with himself in his writing and somewhat condescending of others in his fields. He claims to work only with the facts, but I recall reading some areas where he strays from that. Not that it is a bad thing, but to me it took something away from the stories being told. I will read more of his work to see how things progress.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read regarding many mysterious or confusing deaths. Several of the cases listed I have numerous books with different theories. What is exciting about this book is where the science leads. The body is the tell-tale of how, and when in regard to the death and these are fascinating.

[Erika Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and educational read.

If you are interested in true, honest, factual information, this is a great read. Dr Wecht is a no nonsense, no gimmick, professional. Speaking in direct, understandable language that all can clearly understand. It is obvious why he is so respected.

[Tricha Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved hearing about some of the investigations Cryil Wecht has been involved in.

[John Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book by Americas best forensic expert. He delves in many of the famous deaths he has been involved in. Many of which he has a differing of opinion on the manner of death.

[William G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cause of Death is a fairly well written true crime book by Dr. Cyril Wecht, a famous forensic pathologist, in which he delves into several famous cases involving mostly celebrities and draws conclusions based upon the evidence available. I bought the book back when I was aspiring to become a forensic pathologist myself and I was fascinated by the information contained within. Dr. Wecht is one of the greats in his field and it was very interesting to read his conclusions regarding a number of noted cases including the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, and the death of Elvis Presley. Some of the cases I had read about previously having been reviewed by some of his equally famous peers and it intrigued me to learn what conclusions he drew when examining the exact same evidence.

If I had to place a negative on the book, it would be the amount of time devoted to the JFK assassination, which could have easily filled a book on its own and I felt it took away from many of the other stories contained in the book. Don't get me wrong. It is still a great book. One that I will perhaps read again some day.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I inherited this book from the collection of U.K., JFK assassination researcher and author Ian Griggs.
Ian's book was signed by Mr Wecht at a Dallas assassination conference back in 1993, when the book was first published, which helps to push my rating up to a dizzy two stars.
There are twelve cases covered in 'Cause of Death' but only a few that I can say I was remotely interested in. All the cases are U.S. based and mostly unknown to me.
Even though Cyril Wecht is cited as a world renowned forensic pathologist, physician and lawyer, I discovered some factual errors stated in the chapter on JFK, and I had only read the first twenty pages.
Eminent Boston lawyer F. Lee Bailey who wrote the Introduction gave unsubstantiated statements about Robert Kennedy and also made utterly ridiculous comments regarding Sirhan's innocence or guilt that betrayed his total ignorance of the RFK assassination.
So...nothing much to see here, move along please.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm obsessed with shows like Forensic Files and Dr. G Medical Examiner, so this book was RIGHT up my alley. Same sort of stuff, only in book form, so each case was explained in even more detail. This author is pretty much THE premier forensic pathologist in the nation, and has worked on the case of the JFK assassination, the Robert Kennedy assassination, and several others he details in the book. Absolutely FASCINATING.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

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, Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald, and others.

[Ron Lottermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating!