Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael M. Baden said Sunday afternoon he will conduct a second autopsy on the body of 21-year-old Joshua Szostak in the next few days.
Baden, reached by phone in Manhattan on Sunday, said he wouldn’t discuss the case and referred questions to Szostak’s father, Bill.
Bill Szostak wouldn’t confirm Baden’s involvement in the case. But he repeated his belief that foul play was involved in the death of his son, whose body was found last week floating in the Hudson River in Coxsackie — four months after he was last seen leaving a bar in downtown Albany.
“I agree it’s not accidental,” Bill Szostak said, adding he may have more to say on Wednesday.
An autopsy completed last week at St. Peter’s Hospital by the Albany Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death an accident due to drowning.
After his disappearance on Dec. 23, 2007, Joshua Szostak’s cellphone was found outside a Port of Albany Department of Environmental Conservation garage where a car had been stolen. The car was driven to the Port of Albany and abandoned. There was no trace of Szostak at that location.
Albany police say they’ve closed the investigation and that the autopsy showed no signs of a struggle in Szostak’s death. His wallet and $400 were also found in his pocket.
Baden, who has a private consulting practice and has been a medical examiner for 45 years, is known for is work on high-profile murder cases involving O.J. Simpson and Phil Spector, and for his appearance on the HBO documentary series “Autopsy.” He also is chief forensic pathologist for the State Police.
Albany police spokesman Detective James Miller said Sunday that Baden is getting involved at the request of the Szostak family, and not as part of his duties with the State Police.
To many questions remain.I don’t understand how police can say “case closed” so quickly!
Comment by Karen — April 28, 2008 @ 9:01 am |
I don’t understand it either Karen. I have heard reasons why the police closed the case but it still doesn’t add up. In light of recent developments I believe that there is more than meets the eye. Now we sit and wait while Dr. Baden performs an autopsy.
Comment by Kim — April 28, 2008 @ 9:21 am |
did anyone see this story? http://kstp.com/article/stories/s421846.shtml?v=1
it’s about how over 40 college men across the country have been found dead drowned in rivers and there is talk of serial killing.
i am not sure who you are or your relationship to JS’s family – but someone should forward this information to them.
Comment by xina — April 29, 2008 @ 9:24 pm |
Hi xtina and thank you for commenting. The Szostak’s are aware of this and have been in contact with the detectives who have been working on those cases. Thank you for posting the link!
Comment by Kim — April 30, 2008 @ 7:30 am |
To comment number 3 I did see the live video on Good Morning America yesterday morning and I don’t know Joshuas family but, I think this well definetly help them perhaps point them in a new direction. They obviously know their son and that’s why they requested the 2nd autopsy. If anyone out there knows his parents personal email address. Please forward the information to them.
The video can also be see
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4739744&affil=wten
Comment by Mary — April 30, 2008 @ 1:08 pm |
Hi Mary, The Szostak’s have already been in contact with the detectives on this case. I’m going to post the most recent article.
Comment by Kim — April 30, 2008 @ 2:07 pm |