Montco Coroner Conducts Toxicology Tests on Cardinal Bevilacqua’s Body

By Jim Melwert
CBS Philly
February 10, 2012

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/02/10/montgomery-county-coroner-conducts-toxicology-tests-on-cardinal-anthony-bevilacquas-body/

The casket of Cardinal Bevilacqua being carried into the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul, on Logan Circle. Credit: Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Montgomery County Coroner tells KYW Newsradio his office was asked by the District Attorney’s office to look further into the death of Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.

The tests were done the day after Cardinal Bevilacqua died.

Coroner Walter Hofman says he will not issue a cause of death until he sees the results, which he says will take a few weeks.

Hofman says he was asked by the District Attorney’s office to look further into the Cardinal’s death, to see if there are any circumstances that may have sped up the Cardinal’s death.

Hofman’s office says they are notified of about 60% of deaths in the county. And investigations are done when a person dies from criminal violence, suddenly in good health, or in an unknown or suspicious manner.

Cardinal Bevilacqua died one day after a judge ruled he could testify at hearings regarding the clergy sex abuse scandal.

He was 88-years-old and had been battling cancer and dementia.