PITTSBURGH — Authorities arrested a University of Pittsburgh medical researcher Thursday for allegedly poisoning his neurologist wife with a cyanide-laced energy supplement she evidently believed would help them conceive a child.
A police complaint stated that Dr. Robert Ferrante, 64, gave the supplement to Dr. Autumn Klein, 41, chief of women’s neurology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, hours after they exchanged text messages about how the supplement could help them have a baby. Nine hours letter she fell ill, the Associated Press reports.
Klein died on April 20, three days after she suddenly became ill. After discovering high levels of acid in her blood, doctors had it tested for cyanide. Results revealed Klein had ingested a lethal level of cyanide.
During the investigation, police discovered Ferrante purchased more than a half-pound of cyanide with his university credit card two days before his wife got sick. Investigators determined it was the only substance he purchased not related to his researching work.
Ferrante, who has been placed on indefinite leave from the university, denies any involvement in his wife’s death.
