Cooper University Hospital CEO Didn't Kill Himself, State Medical Examiner Rules

There isn't enough evidence to affirm a previous ruling that former Cooper University Hospital CEO John Sheridan killed himself, New Jersey State Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew L. Falzon ruled on Friday.

In September of 2014, Sheridan and his wife Joyce were found dead in following a fire at their home in Montgomery Township, Somerset County. The following March, it was determined that John Sheridan had killed his wife and committed suicide.

On Friday, Falzon filed documents to amend the death certificate and autopsy report to say John Sheridan’s cause of death was “undetermined.”

“No weapon was recovered from the scene that could be conclusively associated with the wounds sustained by Mr. Sheridan,” Falzon said in his case review. He added that the injuries do still appear to be self-inflicted.

“All this is unfortunately compounded by the extensive destruction of the scene by the fire,” Falzon said. “It is therefore my opinion that the manner of death is Uest classified as ‘undetermined.’ Should additional information regarding the case become available in the future, the case will be re-evaluated and amended if necessary.”

John Sheridan’s cause of death remains listed as sharp force injuries and smoke inhalation.

The review was conducted at the request of the Sheridan Family and at the direction of the Appellate Division of the State Superior Court.

The initial investigation concluded that John Sheridan fatally stabbed Joyce Sheridan. There was no evidence of a third-party’s involvement.

Firefighters responded to their home on the morning of Sept. 28, 2014, after receiving reports of a house fire.

The first responding police officers were unable to access the second floor of the home, due to heavy smoke.
Firefighters ultimately got to the second floor with the use of breathing apparatuses.

John Sheridan was discovered face up on the floor at the foot of the bed, with an armoire resting on top of him. Autopsy results concluded that John Sheridan was alive after the fire was started.

Joyce Sheridan was also found on the floor at the left side of the bed. An autopsy found she had died before the fire began.

The Sheridans’ four sons disputed the findings of the initial investigation, which included more than 180 interviews with potential witnesses and the examination of scores of evidence.

The case review included a review of both autopsies, photos taken at the scene, the medical examiner’s report, DNA reports, medical records, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Officer’s reports of the investigation, a re-examination of evidence and interviews with the assistant medical examiner and forensic scientists with the New Jersey State Police who tested DNA on the evidence that was submitted.