HE SHOULD HAVE HAD HIS OWN BRAIN OPERATED ON

Santa Cruz brain surgeon accused of child rape found dead in jail cell, suicide suspected

By Nick Ibarra

Santa Cruz Sentinel
October 13, 2019

SANTA CRUZ — James Kohut, a former neurosurgeon on trial for child sex crimes, was found dead in his jail cell Sunday morning, authorities said.

According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, the body of 59-year-old Kohut was found alone in his cell when breakfast service began about 5:45 a.m.

An early assessment by a forensic pathologist suggests the former brain surgeon took his own life, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Kohut had been held since May 2017 on multiple felony counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of four children. Prior to his arrest, Kohut worked as a neurosurgeon at Dominican Hospital.

Two women — who prosecutors have described as Kohut’s girlfriends — were also charged in the case: Rashel Brandon, a former Dominican Hospital nurse, and Emily Stephens. Children of both Brandon and Stephens are among the alleged victims.

An autopsy is expected to be performed this week, and authorities said an investigation is underway to determine the cause and manner of Kohut’s death.

Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn was not able to release information about any specific evidence found in Kohut’s cell that may be connected to his death.

“That’s something that we are investigating and that will most likely be released after the autopsy report on cause and manner of death,” Keehn said.

Kohut had been on suicide watch early in his incarceration, according to Keehn, but was not on suicide watch at the time of his death.

“There was no indication in the past several months that he would or wanted to harm himself,” Keehn said.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Kohut did not share a cell with any other inmates and was held in Santa Cruz County Jail’s protective housing unit.

Kohut did not appear in person at multiple recent hearings in the case, according to court records. The next hearing in the case was scheduled for Thursday.

An attorney representing Kohut, Jay Rorty, declined to comment.