James Kohut
James Kohut, 59, was a neurosurgeon who had worked at Dominican Hospital before his arrest. He was found dead in his cell at the Santa Cruz County Jail on the morning of October 13, 2019, when breakfast service began around 5:45 a.m., and he was being held alone in a protective housing unit. The Sheriff's Office said an early assessment by a forensic pathologist suggests he took his own life, and it said he had been on suicide watch early in his time held but was not on it when he died. The autopsy and the official cause and manner of death were still pending.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide. The Sheriff's Office says an early assessment by a forensic pathologist suggests he took his own life, and the coroner has tentatively said the same, though the official cause and manner have not been released.
Reported by: Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner (medical examiner or coroner).
Sources (9)
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- Santa Cruz Doctor Charged With Sexually Abusing Children Was Found Dead in Jail Cell
- James Kohut found dead in jail cell
- Doctor Charged With Child Sex Crimes Found Dead in Santa Cruz County Jail
- 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
- Accused Molester and Former Neurosurgeon James Kohut Found Dead In Santa Cruz Jail Cell
- SCSO: Accused child molester's cause of jail cell death confirmed suicide