Doctor Convicted Of Raping Patients In NJ Found Dead In Jail

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Neurologist Ricardo Cruciani who was recently convicted of sexually assaulting his patients was found dead in a New York City jail, according to the New York City Department of Correction.

He died at approximately 6:30 a.m., authorities said.

Cruciani, 68, was convicted by a New York jury in July of sexually assaulting and raping six patients at Beth Israel Medical Center. The assaults also occurred at his medical offices in Hopewell, Mercer County, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said.

The doctor practiced at Capital Health's Institute of Neurosciences, at Capital Health's medical center in Hopewell. He was charged in Mercer County for sexually assaulting seven female patients. More: Doctor With Mercer Co. Practice Charged With Patient Sex Abuse

According to a New York Times report, Cruciani was found Monday morning at the Rikers Island jail complex, in the shower area with a sheet around his neck.

He was found unconscious and unresponsive with cardiac arrest and was declared dead at the scene, CNN reported.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Cruciani’s passing. We will conduct a preliminary internal review to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones," Commissioner Louis A. Molina said in a statement.

Cruciani was awaiting sentencing while housed at Riker Island jail. He was also scheduled to go on trial in January 2023 on charges of abusing patients over 15 years at his office in Hopewell, NYC and Philadelphia, reported The Guardian.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to the Pennsylvania charges where he was accused of groping women while heading a Drexel University department.

According to the Manhattan DA's Office, Cruciani developed a personal relationship with each patient and initiated physical contact by stroking his patients’ hair, complimenting their appearance and giving them uncomfortably tight hugs. He eventually compelled them to have sex.

The sex acts had to continue for patients to receive prescriptions for addictive pain medications, authorities said. Cruciani over-prescribed high doses of pain medications to ensure his patients could not leave his care, the Manhattan DA said.

New York State Attorney General’s Office and the NYC Department of Investigation will be investigating his death, authorities said.

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