Cyril Wecht facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cyril Wecht
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| Allegheny County Medical Examiner | |
| In office December 29, 2005 – January 20, 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Himself as Coroner |
| Succeeded by | Abdulrezak Shakir (Acting) |
| Allegheny County Coroner | |
| In office January 1, 1996 – December 29, 2005 |
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| Preceded by | F. James Gregis (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Himself as Medical Examiner |
| In office January 2, 1970 – January 9, 1980 |
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| Preceded by | Ralph Stalter |
| Succeeded by | Joshua Perper (Acting) |
| Member of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners |
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| In office January 7, 1980 – January 2, 1984 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Flaherty |
| Succeeded by | Pete Flaherty |
| Chairperson of the Allegheny County Democratic Party |
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| In office June 1, 1978 – May 30, 1984 |
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| Preceded by | Eugene Coon |
| Succeeded by | Ed Stevens |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Cyril Harrison Wecht
March 20, 1931 Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 13, 2024 (aged 93) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Pittsburgh (B.S., M.D., LLB) University of Maryland School of Law (J.D.) |
| Occupation | Forensic pathologist Politician Attorney |
| a.Shakir held the title of Acting Medical Examiner while a national search was undertaken to find a permanent successor to Wecht. In December 2006, Karl Williams was formally appointed Medical Examiner. b.Gregis held the title of Acting Coroner from the date of Joshua Perper's resignation in July 1994, until Wecht was elected to permanently fill the vacancy. c.Perper held the title of Acting Coroner from the date of Wecht's resignation, until the State Supreme Court upheld Dr. Sanford Edberg's appointment to the office on March 2, 1981. |
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Cyril Harrison Wecht (March 20, 1931 – May 13, 2024) was an American forensic pathologist. This means he was a doctor who studied how people died. He was a leader in his field, serving as president of important groups like the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Wecht also worked as a public official in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, serving as a County Commissioner and the Coroner and Medical Examiner for Allegheny County. He was well-known for disagreeing with the official findings about the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
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About Cyril Wecht
Wecht was born in a small mining village called Bobtown, Pennsylvania in 1931. His parents were immigrants. His father, Nathan Wecht, ran a store, and his mother, Fannie Rubenstein, was a homemaker. When Cyril was young, his family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his father opened a grocery store. Cyril graduated from Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh.
He loved music and was the concertmaster for the University of Pittsburgh Orchestra while he was a student. Wecht earned several degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, including a science degree (B.S.) in 1952, a medical degree (M.D.) in 1956, and a law degree (LLB) in 1962. He also earned a law degree (J.D.) from the University of Maryland School of Law. In 1959, he served as a captain in the medical corps for the United States Air Force. He then became a forensic pathologist. In 1965, he started working as a Deputy Coroner in Allegheny County. Four years later, he was elected Coroner. He served as Coroner from 1970 to 1980, and again from 1996 to 2006.
His Work in Forensics
Cyril Wecht became famous for appearing on TV and helping with investigations into well-known deaths. He consulted on cases involving famous people like Robert F. Kennedy, Sharon Tate, Elvis Presley, and Kurt Cobain. He also worked on cases like the JonBenét Ramsey investigation. During his career, Wecht performed more than 17,000 autopsies, which are medical examinations to find out the cause of death. He was also a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Duquesne University.
Wecht's Consulting Work
Since 1962, Wecht had his own private practice. He worked as a consultant for legal and forensic pathology cases. He often served as an expert witness in court, sharing his medical knowledge.
His consulting work included:
- Helping the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office with the 1968 Robert F. Kennedy assassination and the 1969 Sharon Tate cases.
- Working with the Centers for Disease Control on the Legionnaires' Disease outbreak.
- Consulting for the ABC television show 20/20 about the John F. Kennedy assassination and the death of Elvis Presley.
- Being part of a special panel for the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Assassinations.
- Working as a consultant for the 1991 film JFK.
The JFK Assassination
In 1965, Wecht shared his thoughts on the Warren Commission's findings about the John F. Kennedy assassination. In 1972, he was the first person outside of the government to examine the evidence from the Kennedy assassination. He was the one who found that Kennedy's brain and other important information were missing.
In 1978, he spoke before the House Select Committee on Assassinations. He was the only forensic pathologist on a nine-member panel who disagreed with the "single bullet theory" and the Warren Commission's conclusions. This theory suggested that one bullet caused multiple wounds to both President Kennedy and Governor Connally. Wecht believed the evidence didn't support this.
Institute of Forensic Science
In 2000, the Duquesne University School of Law created the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law. This institute helps students learn about forensic science. It offers programs for people studying law, nursing, law enforcement, and other fields.
Books by Cyril Wecht
Wecht wrote many books about forensic science and his experiences, including:
- From Crime Scene to Courtroom (2011)
- Investigation of Police Related Deaths (2011)
- Forensic Science and Law (2006)
- Tales from the Morgue (2005)
- Mortal Evidence (2003)
- Into EVIDENCE: Truth, Lies and Unresolved Mysteries in the Murder of JFK
- Grave Secrets
- Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?
- Cause of Death (1993)
- The Life and Deaths of Cyril Wecht: Memoirs of America's Most Controversial Forensic Pathologist (2020)
His Political Life
Early Years (1965–1985)
In 1965, Wecht became the Deputy Coroner of Allegheny County. Four years later, he was elected as the Coroner. He served as Coroner from 1970 to 1980. He later became an Allegheny County Commissioner in 1980.
In 1978, he was chosen to lead the Democratic Party in Allegheny County. In 1979, he was elected to the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners. In 1982, he ran for the U.S. Senate but did not win.
Later Years (1995–2006)
After being out of public office for 12 years, Wecht was elected as Allegheny County's Coroner again in 1995. In 1999, he ran for the new position of Allegheny County Chief Executive but lost the election.
While serving as Coroner, Wecht also continued his private forensic consulting business. This sometimes led to disagreements with other public officials. In 2006, the Coroner position was removed, and he was named the county's first appointed Medical Examiner.
Personal Life
In October 1961, Cyril Wecht married Sigrid Ronsdal. They had four children together, including David Wecht, who became a judge on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Cyril Wecht passed away on May 13, 2024, at the age of 93.
In Popular Media
Cyril Wecht was played by actor Albert Brooks in the 2015 film Concussion. In the movie, Wecht supported Dr. Bennet Omalu's efforts to show the connection between concussions and football injuries.
Selected Publications
- Foreword to H. L. Hunt: Motive & Opportunity by John Curington and Michael Whitington. 23 House (2018). ISBN: 978-1939306241.
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