A once-prominent neurologist convicted last month of sexually abusing patients died by suicide on Monday at a New York City jail, two people familiar with the matter said.
Ricardo Cruciani was found unresponsive in a shower area at the Eric M Taylor Centre, a jail at the notorious Rikers Island complex, the people said. They were not authorised to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity.
Cruciani's lawyer, Frederick Sosinsky, confirmed in a statement that his client had died, but not the manner of death.
“Ricardo’s attorneys and family are shocked and saddened beyond belief to have learnt of his violent death while in city custody this morning,” he said.
Mr Sosinsky called for “an immediate and objective investigation” into the circumstances of Cruciani’s death, including whether jail officials complied with a court order, at the time of his conviction, to place him in protective custody and under suicide watch.
Cruciani died while awaiting sentencing next month in a New York state case in which he was convicted of 12 charges, including predatory sexual assault, rape and sex abuse, and acquitted on two others. He faced up to life in prison.
He was also scheduled to go on trial next January on federal charges accusing him of abusing several patients over 15 years at his offices in New York, Philadelphia and Hopewell, New Jersey.
Prosecutors said Cruciani groomed vulnerable patients by overprescribing pain killers, sometimes to treat serious injuries from car wrecks and other accidents.
Six women gave evidence that the sexual abuse often occurred behind closed doors during appointments in 2013 at a Manhattan medical centre, where the doctor would expose himself and demand sex.
“I take comfort knowing he now faces another judge,” said Terrie Phoenix, one of six women who gave evidence against Cruciani at trial.
The fire department said it responded to a call of an inmate unconscious at the jail at about 5.50am. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the inmate but were unable to do so, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, the fire department said.
Jails commissioner Louis Molina said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the inmate’s death and promised “a preliminary internal review to determine the circumstances surrounding his death”.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones,” Mr Molina said.
Cruciani is at least the 11th person to die in a city jail this year. Last year, 16 people died — the most since 2013.
Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for women who say they were abused by him. A message was also left with the Manhattan district attorney's office, which prosecuted the case that ended in his July 29 conviction.
Convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein — in pictures
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Trial evidence shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Maxwell and Epstein have been found guilty of sex charges related to underage girls. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Britain's Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell at one of Epstein's properties. Maxwell used her "femininity to betray us" like she was "a wolf in sheep's clothing", one of Epstein's victims said before Maxwell's sentencing in New York. -
Epstein and Maxwell, who groomed and procured underaged girls for him. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Epstein, Maxwell and French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel on the financier's private jet, the 'Lolita Express'. Brunel died in prison in February while awaiting charges including raping minors. Photo: Shutterstock -
Judge Alison Nathan and Ghislaine Maxwell in a courtroom sketch. Reuters -
Maxwell with Epstein. -
Maxwell gives Epstein a foot massage. -
In a courtroom sketch, FBI analyst Kimberly Meder testifies during Ghislaine Maxwell's sex-abuse trial about a photo, shown on video, of Maxwell massaging Epstein's foot at his home. AP -
This photo of Maxwell and Epstein was entered into evidence by the US Attorney's Office. Photo: US Attorney's Office / Reuters -
US Department of Justice evidence. -
Maxwell with Epstein. -
British socialite Maxwell was convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls. -
Maxwell and Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Another trial evidence image of Maxwell and Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP -
Another evidence photo of Maxwell and Epstein. Reuters -
Maxwell reportedly dated Epstein and then became a recruiter of young girls for him. -
A photo of Maxwell living the high life entered into evidence by the US Attorney's Office. -
A photo issued by US Department of Justice shows the interior of one of Epstein's private planes. -
Epstein's third private plane. -
An aerial view of Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands. -
An advertisement for a massage therapist shown to the court during Maxwell's trial. -
A photo issued by US Department of Justice shows the massage room at Epstein's New York house. -
Another image of the massage room entered into evidence. -
Maxwell once tried for a career dealing with climate change. Getty / AFP -
Maxwell attends the 2014 Education through Music Children's Benefit Gala at Capitale in New York. The charity was started by Epstein. Getty / AFP -
Epstein's mugshot. He committed suicide in his cell in 2019. Photo: New York State Sex Offender Registry / AFP -
A headline from 'The Times' in a London store on December 30, 2021, the morning after a jury in New York found Maxwell guilty of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. AFP -
A selection of headlines from British newspapers. AFP -
Kevin Maxwell, Isabel Maxwell and Christine Maxwell, brother and sisters of Ghislaine, walk outside the courtroom after she was found guilty. Reuters -
Maxwell's lawyer, Christian Everdell, leaves the US Federal District Court after she was found guilty. EPA -
Laura Menninger and Jeffrey Pagliuca, members of Maxwell's legal team, after her guilty verdict. EPA -
Maxwell's lead lawyer Bobbi Sternheim leaves the US Federal District Court after her client was found guilty on five of six sex-trafficking charges. EPA -
A protester outside court when Maxwell made her first appearance in July 2020. AFP -
A protester outside Maxwell's trial. Getty / AFP -
A protester holds a placard during a rally in New York City for Epstein survivors. Reuters -
Demonstrators rally in solidarity with the Epstein and Maxwell survivors in New York City. AFP -
Sarah Ransome testified against Maxwell. AP
