Joan Rivers' doctor snapped selfie during throat surgery

Image
Press Trust of India Los Angeles
Last Updated : Sep 17 2014 | 1:45 PM IST
A doctor attending Joan Rivers reportedly stopped to take a selfie in the procedure room while the famous comedienne was under anaesthesia, just moments before she went into cardiac arrest.
The physician hasn't been publicly identified, but is believed to be Rivers' personal ear-nose-throat doctor, reported CNN.
A member of staff at Manhattan's Yorkville Endoscopy clinic told investigators about the physician's questionable behaviour, a source close to the death investigation said.
Rivers, 81, had checked in for a routine throat procedure at the Yorkville Endoscopy clinic in Manhattan on August 28, when her condition took a shocking turn for the worse.
First the clinic's medical director Lawrence Cohen carried out a scheduled endoscopy.
The procedure was intended to help diagnose her hoarse voice and sore throat and it involved the insertion of a camera down her throat.
After Cohen had finished his work, a biopsy was allegedly done on Rivers without her prior consent.
Rivers' vocal chords began to swell during the allegedly unauthorised biopsy, cutting off the flow of oxygen to her lungs, which led to cardiac arrest on the morning of August 29.
Rivers was then taken from the clinic to Mount Sinai Hospital a mile away, where she died a week later.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 17 2014 | 1:45 PM IST

Next Story