Former Allegheny County coroner Cyril Wecht died Monday at the age of 93.
The nationally known pathologist was a critic of the Warren Commission report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
He was also involved in the murder case of JonBenét Ramsey.
The Squirrel Hill resident served as county coroner from 1970 until 1980 and county commissioner from 1980 until 1984.
Dr. Wecht performed over 20,000 autopsies.
Duquesne University’s forensics department is named after Wecht. The Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law.
Current Medical Examiner of Allegheny County, Dr. Ariel Goldschmidt, released the following statement following Dr. Wecht's passing:
"It is with a heavy heart that the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner joins the greater Pittsburgh community in mourning the loss of Dr. Cyril H. Wecht. Dr. Wecht was an icon in the field of Forensic Medicine, serving as the longtime coroner for Allegheny County and its first appointed Medical Examiner. Through his outspoken passion for the field, Dr. Wecht gained international prominence as he consulted on the deaths of many prominent figures, including the late US President John F. Kennedy and others. Dr. Wecht continued performing casework well into his 90s, and never shied away from opinions that challenged conventional viewpoints. His colorful and larger-than-life personality and commitment to teaching will cause him to be missed by many; however, his legacy and contributions to the fields of Forensic Medicine and Law will continue through local educational institutions that bear his name, including the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law at Duquesne University."
Wecht as also the first Democratic candidate for the newly created Allegheny County Chief Executive Office in 1999. He was beat by Republican Jim Roddey.
Roddey died in early March at the age of 91.
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This is a developing story and will be updated.