James Kohut
James Kohut was a neurosurgeon who practiced at Dominican Hospital and had lived in Santa Cruz and Soquel for many years. He was found dead in his cell at the Santa Cruz County Jail early on Sunday, October 13, 2019, around 5:45 a.m., when correctional officers found him alone in a protective housing unit during breakfast service. The sheriff's office said an early assessment by a forensic pathologist suggested suicide, and later said an autopsy determined the manner of death was suicide, that he had left a note, and that he had cut his left groin and partially severed his femoral artery. The sheriff's office said he had been on suicide watch after an earlier attempt, had been placed back under observation in September, and was not on watch at the time of his death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide. The Sheriff's Office said an early forensic pathologist assessment indicates he took his own life, and the coroner tentatively agreed, though the official cause was not released.
Reported by: Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Santa Cruz County forensic pathologist and coroner (medical examiner or coroner).
News reports (7)
- Santa Cruz brain surgeon accused of child rape found dead in jail cell
- James Kohut found dead in jail cell
- Former neurosurgeon, accused child molester found dead in his SC jail cell
- Doctor Found Dead In Jail Cell: Santa Cruz County
- Accused child molester found dead
- SCSO: Accused child molester's cause of jail cell death confirmed suicide
- Autopsy released for Santa Cruz brain surgeon accused of child rape