1 00:00:12,812 --> 00:00:14,012 - I'm craig melvin 2 00:00:14,014 --> 00:00:16,448 And this is "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 3 00:00:17,752 --> 00:00:20,652 - She said that things were getting really bad. 4 00:00:20,654 --> 00:00:24,122 There was no fear of anything like what happened. 5 00:00:24,124 --> 00:00:26,958 I don't know if something snapped. 6 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:31,563 I was shocked and I couldn't say anything. 7 00:00:31,565 --> 00:00:34,700 - A doctor comes home, but not for long. 8 00:00:34,702 --> 00:00:37,503 - I think my wife is heaving a stroke. 9 00:00:37,505 --> 00:00:40,039 - An hour later, she was back at the hospital 10 00:00:40,041 --> 00:00:41,373 She just left. 11 00:00:41,375 --> 00:00:44,276 - She had this blank stare in her eyes. 12 00:00:44,278 --> 00:00:47,579 - Three days later, she was dead. 13 00:00:47,581 --> 00:00:50,949 - I said she's my child, I gave birth to her, 14 00:00:50,951 --> 00:00:52,818 I want to know what happened to her. 15 00:00:52,820 --> 00:00:55,454 - At first, it was just a medical mystery. 16 00:00:55,456 --> 00:00:57,622 - I'm seeing a healthy white female, 17 00:00:57,624 --> 00:01:00,025 That for all intents and purpose should be alive. 18 00:01:00,027 --> 00:01:01,893 - To them, this was out of this world. 19 00:01:01,895 --> 00:01:03,929 Just couldn't make any sense of it. 20 00:01:03,931 --> 00:01:07,099 - But soon, it became a murder mystery. 21 00:01:07,101 --> 00:01:08,600 - She said, "are you sitting down?" 22 00:01:08,602 --> 00:01:11,136 - Because once they finally discovered what killed her, 23 00:01:11,138 --> 00:01:14,339 The next question was who. 24 00:01:14,341 --> 00:01:17,742 - If he couldn't have her, no one was going to have her. 25 00:01:17,744 --> 00:01:20,011 - I still haven't made sense of it. 26 00:01:20,013 --> 00:01:22,214 I still haven't made sense of it. 27 00:01:22,216 --> 00:01:30,222 ♪♪ 28 00:01:30,224 --> 00:01:33,959 - Hello, and welcome to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 29 00:01:33,961 --> 00:01:37,395 Autumn klein was a brilliant young doctor 30 00:01:37,397 --> 00:01:39,298 Whose career was thriving. 31 00:01:39,300 --> 00:01:40,866 Her husband, bob ferrante, 32 00:01:40,868 --> 00:01:43,168 Was a respected medical researcher 33 00:01:43,170 --> 00:01:45,971 And they were eager to have a second child. 34 00:01:45,973 --> 00:01:49,508 Then, out of the blue, autumn collapsed 35 00:01:49,510 --> 00:01:51,042 And was rushed to the er. 36 00:01:51,044 --> 00:01:55,814 But was this a case for doctors or the police? 37 00:01:55,816 --> 00:01:59,451 Turns out, this marriage had secrets. 38 00:01:59,453 --> 00:02:02,254 Did one of them lead to murder? 39 00:02:02,256 --> 00:02:05,323 Here's dennis murphy with "lethal weapon". 40 00:02:05,325 --> 00:02:10,328 ♪♪ 41 00:02:10,330 --> 00:02:13,599 - The emergency room trauma team was losing her. 42 00:02:13,601 --> 00:02:15,934 She'd been wheeled in glassy-eyed 43 00:02:15,936 --> 00:02:18,103 And gasping for breath. 44 00:02:18,105 --> 00:02:22,240 - Her heart stopped, so they had to restart her heart. 45 00:02:22,242 --> 00:02:24,809 And within minutes, machines were doing the breathing 46 00:02:24,811 --> 00:02:28,613 And blood circulation for 41-year-old autumn klein, 47 00:02:28,615 --> 00:02:31,216 Wife, mother, medical doctor, 48 00:02:31,218 --> 00:02:34,786 A rising star in the field of women's neurology. 49 00:02:34,788 --> 00:02:37,088 A star whose light was dimming, 50 00:02:37,090 --> 00:02:40,091 Even as they tried desperately to keep her going. 51 00:02:40,093 --> 00:02:42,427 - These are doctors who are-are treating 52 00:02:42,429 --> 00:02:45,163 Trauma patients every day. 53 00:02:45,165 --> 00:02:48,700 This one had totally puzzled them. 54 00:02:48,702 --> 00:02:51,570 - The woman failing in the er, dr. Klein, 55 00:02:51,572 --> 00:02:55,574 Was in many ways what modern pittsburgh was all about. 56 00:02:55,576 --> 00:02:58,977 The gleaming downtown towers didn't need to worry anymore 57 00:02:58,979 --> 00:03:01,513 About grimy soot from the steel mill smokestacks 58 00:03:01,515 --> 00:03:03,181 Along the river. 59 00:03:03,183 --> 00:03:06,785 The steel industry here had mostly died by the early '80s 60 00:03:06,787 --> 00:03:09,922 And moved overseas. 61 00:03:09,924 --> 00:03:13,525 Universities, technology, medicine, and finance, 62 00:03:13,527 --> 00:03:15,860 That was the foundation of the new pittsburgh 63 00:03:15,862 --> 00:03:17,796 They called the renaissance. 64 00:03:17,798 --> 00:03:20,999 And robert ferrante and his wife dr. Autumn klein 65 00:03:21,001 --> 00:03:22,667 Relocated from boston, 66 00:03:22,669 --> 00:03:24,402 Where just the kind of renaissance minds 67 00:03:24,404 --> 00:03:26,871 The city was hoping to attract. 68 00:03:26,873 --> 00:03:30,175 Autumn's colleague dr. Karen roche. 69 00:03:30,177 --> 00:03:33,545 - She said that she loved pittsburgh. 70 00:03:33,547 --> 00:03:35,247 She loved her patients. 71 00:03:35,249 --> 00:03:37,416 That the people of pittsburgh were wonderful 72 00:03:37,418 --> 00:03:40,685 And she was so happy to be there. 73 00:03:40,687 --> 00:03:43,688 Autumn had always intended to be a caregiver. 74 00:03:43,690 --> 00:03:46,358 Her cousin, close as sisters, sharon king, 75 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,193 Remembers that even as a little girl, 76 00:03:48,195 --> 00:03:51,029 She administered playtime tlc. 77 00:03:51,031 --> 00:03:52,464 - We had a doctor's office 78 00:03:52,466 --> 00:03:55,967 And our patients were our stuffed animals. 79 00:03:55,969 --> 00:03:58,069 - And dr. Autumn klein was holding clinic hours. 80 00:03:58,071 --> 00:03:59,537 - She was the doctor. 81 00:03:59,539 --> 00:04:01,806 - It was an interest that took root early for autumn 82 00:04:01,808 --> 00:04:03,308 And never left. 83 00:04:03,310 --> 00:04:06,611 Always a top-of-her-class student in the baltimore area, 84 00:04:06,613 --> 00:04:08,513 She later got her undergraduate degree 85 00:04:08,515 --> 00:04:10,749 In neuroscience from amherst. 86 00:04:10,751 --> 00:04:13,118 - Helping people was the main thing. 87 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:15,721 She was just so smart, so intelligent, 88 00:04:15,723 --> 00:04:17,789 So thoughtful, and so caring. 89 00:04:17,791 --> 00:04:19,391 - You and-and your husband must have been very, 90 00:04:19,393 --> 00:04:21,259 Very proud of her. 91 00:04:21,261 --> 00:04:22,261 - We were. 92 00:04:22,263 --> 00:04:24,396 - Lois klein is autumn's mom. 93 00:04:24,398 --> 00:04:27,332 - We knew that she was putting her mind on her studies 94 00:04:27,334 --> 00:04:29,067 And we were giving her the best education 95 00:04:29,069 --> 00:04:30,802 We could possibly give her. 96 00:04:30,804 --> 00:04:33,538 And she was taking advantage of it. 97 00:04:33,540 --> 00:04:35,273 - Med school was a certainty. 98 00:04:35,275 --> 00:04:37,575 Autumn announced she was heading to boston. 99 00:04:37,577 --> 00:04:41,079 Her mother worried the city's crime rate was too high. 100 00:04:41,081 --> 00:04:43,815 - She said, "I'm going to boston university medical school." 101 00:04:43,817 --> 00:04:46,084 And I said, "no, you're not." and she said "yes, I am." 102 00:04:46,086 --> 00:04:47,085 And I said, "no, you're not." 103 00:04:47,087 --> 00:04:48,620 And she said, "yes, I am." 104 00:04:48,622 --> 00:04:51,223 And she went to boston university medical school. 105 00:04:51,225 --> 00:04:52,958 She had a mind of her own. 106 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,627 - In medical school, autumn developed a romantic thing 107 00:04:55,629 --> 00:04:58,129 For a research colleague, and he for her. 108 00:04:58,131 --> 00:05:00,699 Robert ferrante, bob to his friends, 109 00:05:00,701 --> 00:05:04,269 Held a phd in neuroscience and was hunting for cures 110 00:05:04,271 --> 00:05:07,105 To devastating brain illnesses like lou gehrig's 111 00:05:07,107 --> 00:05:08,974 And huntington's diseases. 112 00:05:08,976 --> 00:05:11,643 He was also more than 20 years her senior, 113 00:05:11,645 --> 00:05:14,412 Divorced with two grown kids. 114 00:05:14,414 --> 00:05:16,047 - I simply told her that 115 00:05:16,049 --> 00:05:17,582 That was a little bit too old for her. 116 00:05:17,584 --> 00:05:20,452 I didn't think that that was the right age. 117 00:05:20,454 --> 00:05:22,854 - But two days before graduation from med school, 118 00:05:22,856 --> 00:05:25,090 A determined autumn, wasting no time, 119 00:05:25,092 --> 00:05:29,327 Was walking down the aisle with her much older bridegroom. 120 00:05:29,329 --> 00:05:30,962 - And what was your impression of him, sharon? 121 00:05:30,964 --> 00:05:35,266 - Nice guy, a charming guy. A bit heady, you know. 122 00:05:35,268 --> 00:05:36,568 - Egghead? - Yeah. 123 00:05:36,570 --> 00:05:38,269 - Nerdy? - Yeah. 124 00:05:38,271 --> 00:05:40,972 And she kind of was and she kind of wasn't. Yeah. 125 00:05:40,974 --> 00:05:44,075 - The couple made a home just outside boston. 126 00:05:44,077 --> 00:05:48,012 In a few years, a baby girl arrived into their hectic lives. 127 00:05:48,014 --> 00:05:50,014 Autumn took it in stride. 128 00:05:50,016 --> 00:05:52,617 - A 2 a.M. Diaper change is nothing for her. 129 00:05:52,619 --> 00:05:54,953 She's, you know, I mean, a 2 a.M. Call from the hospital, 130 00:05:54,955 --> 00:05:57,022 You have to come in to take care of this patient. 131 00:05:57,024 --> 00:06:00,092 You know, she's used to that. 132 00:06:00,094 --> 00:06:02,360 - The new mother was becoming a sought-after specialist 133 00:06:02,362 --> 00:06:05,564 In neurological ailments in women. 134 00:06:05,566 --> 00:06:08,299 But autumn was growing frustrated with boston 135 00:06:08,301 --> 00:06:12,771 And professionally, she felt as though she'd crested there. 136 00:06:12,773 --> 00:06:15,140 That's when pittsburgh loomed into view. 137 00:06:15,142 --> 00:06:17,442 In 2011, the university of pittsburgh 138 00:06:17,444 --> 00:06:19,444 And its renowned sister medical center 139 00:06:19,446 --> 00:06:22,180 Offered an ideal career move. 140 00:06:22,182 --> 00:06:25,150 For bob, a new research lab; for autumn, 141 00:06:25,152 --> 00:06:27,852 A chance to head her own department. 142 00:06:27,854 --> 00:06:29,721 - Autumn was not just a rising star, 143 00:06:29,723 --> 00:06:31,389 She was a shooting star. 144 00:06:31,391 --> 00:06:35,827 She was nationally recognized as a leader in her field 145 00:06:35,829 --> 00:06:37,662 At a very young age. 146 00:06:37,664 --> 00:06:40,632 - But still, something was gnawing at her, 147 00:06:40,634 --> 00:06:42,534 A kind of emotional vacuum. 148 00:06:42,536 --> 00:06:44,402 She wanted to have another child. 149 00:06:44,404 --> 00:06:46,871 By now in her early 40's, she was taking 150 00:06:46,873 --> 00:06:49,574 Fertility treatments, hormone injections, 151 00:06:49,576 --> 00:06:51,409 But nothing was happening. 152 00:06:51,411 --> 00:06:53,178 Was it really eating away at her 153 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:55,347 That she wasn't getting pregnant? 154 00:06:55,349 --> 00:06:56,548 Time was going by? 155 00:06:56,550 --> 00:06:57,615 - Yes. 156 00:06:57,617 --> 00:07:00,952 And, you know, just speaking from experience, 157 00:07:00,954 --> 00:07:03,955 Fertility treatments are the loneliest place 158 00:07:03,957 --> 00:07:05,990 A woman will ever go. 159 00:07:05,992 --> 00:07:08,293 - Looking back, her mom lois recognizes 160 00:07:08,295 --> 00:07:12,764 Now some worrisome signs, changes in her daughter. 161 00:07:12,766 --> 00:07:16,801 - I kind of saw that she wasn't herself too much anymore, 162 00:07:16,803 --> 00:07:20,672 That she was kind of a little, 163 00:07:20,674 --> 00:07:21,973 What do you call it, 164 00:07:21,975 --> 00:07:25,610 Kind of a little down, maybe, here and there. 165 00:07:25,612 --> 00:07:29,347 - Then in early 2013, the couple tried a new approach 166 00:07:29,349 --> 00:07:31,049 To the baby problem. 167 00:07:31,051 --> 00:07:33,919 A fertility doctor thought the bodybuilding supplement 168 00:07:33,921 --> 00:07:37,789 Known as creatine just might help autumn get pregnant. 169 00:07:37,791 --> 00:07:39,224 As it turned out, her husband, bob, 170 00:07:39,226 --> 00:07:41,759 Had been using the stuff in his research. 171 00:07:41,761 --> 00:07:45,129 So, on April 17, autumn klein seemed ready 172 00:07:45,131 --> 00:07:47,399 To give creatine a try. 173 00:07:47,401 --> 00:07:49,334 She texted her husband that day: 174 00:07:51,405 --> 00:07:52,971 - He answered: 175 00:07:56,477 --> 00:07:59,077 - These are hospital security camera pictures 176 00:07:59,079 --> 00:08:00,812 That show autumn throughout the day 177 00:08:00,814 --> 00:08:04,616 And leaving work late that night. 178 00:08:04,618 --> 00:08:06,618 Ten minutes later, she was home. 179 00:08:06,620 --> 00:08:09,421 And minutes after that, her husband, bob ferrante, 180 00:08:09,423 --> 00:08:11,656 Was on the phone to 911. 181 00:08:16,096 --> 00:08:17,962 - His wife, slumped on the kitchen floor, 182 00:08:17,964 --> 00:08:19,764 Gasping for breath. 183 00:08:19,766 --> 00:08:21,933 The dispatcher asked the husband what he was seeing. 184 00:08:25,439 --> 00:08:28,106 - Steve mason, then a paramedic with ems pittsburgh, 185 00:08:28,108 --> 00:08:31,442 And his partner arrived at the ferrante home to find 186 00:08:31,444 --> 00:08:33,678 A woman in very bad shape. 187 00:08:33,680 --> 00:08:35,547 - She was lying on her back on the kitchen floor. 188 00:08:35,549 --> 00:08:39,984 Her eyes were open and she was unresponsive. 189 00:08:39,986 --> 00:08:42,587 - An hour after walking home from the medical center 190 00:08:42,589 --> 00:08:44,656 Where she worked, dr. Autumn klein, 191 00:08:44,658 --> 00:08:46,891 Seen here in hospital surveillance footage, 192 00:08:46,893 --> 00:08:48,927 Was back as a gravely ill patient 193 00:08:48,929 --> 00:08:51,596 In its emergency room. 194 00:08:51,598 --> 00:08:54,098 And whatever was happening to her was a medical mystery 195 00:08:54,100 --> 00:08:56,534 To the team trying to keep her alive. 196 00:08:56,536 --> 00:09:00,004 Then they saw the blood, so neon red, 197 00:09:00,006 --> 00:09:03,007 So out of their experience. 198 00:09:03,009 --> 00:09:05,744 - Autumn was surrounded by some of the best doctors 199 00:09:05,746 --> 00:09:08,546 In the country, desperate to save her. 200 00:09:08,548 --> 00:09:10,749 And they were stumped. 201 00:09:12,485 --> 00:09:14,686 - To them, this was out this world. 202 00:09:14,688 --> 00:09:17,221 Just couldn't make any sense of it. 203 00:09:17,223 --> 00:09:19,591 - Maybe someone else could. 204 00:09:19,593 --> 00:09:22,661 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 205 00:09:26,632 --> 00:09:31,202 ♪♪ 206 00:09:31,204 --> 00:09:33,972 - Dr. Autumn klein had been rushed by ambulance 207 00:09:33,974 --> 00:09:36,941 To the er of the university of pittsburgh medical center 208 00:09:36,943 --> 00:09:40,011 After slumping to the kitchen floor of her home. 209 00:09:40,013 --> 00:09:41,746 - We thought that there was definitely a possibility 210 00:09:41,748 --> 00:09:43,581 Of a stroke and we knew 211 00:09:43,583 --> 00:09:45,650 That she was in critical condition. 212 00:09:45,652 --> 00:09:48,186 - Now, the trauma team surrounding her was trying 213 00:09:48,188 --> 00:09:51,456 Desperately to keep her vital signs going. 214 00:09:51,458 --> 00:09:53,358 Alan jennings, at the time a reporter with 215 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:57,128 Nbc's pittsburgh affiliate wpxi covered the story. 216 00:09:57,130 --> 00:10:00,599 He recounted what doctors later said about that night. 217 00:10:00,601 --> 00:10:05,136 - She had this blank stare in her eyes, uh, barely a pulse. 218 00:10:05,138 --> 00:10:06,871 - And they didn't know what had happened to her? 219 00:10:06,873 --> 00:10:08,272 - No, they didn't. 220 00:10:08,274 --> 00:10:10,408 - Autumn was struggling to breathe. 221 00:10:10,410 --> 00:10:13,144 - And then, in comes, uh, the ventilator. 222 00:10:13,146 --> 00:10:14,278 - The ventilator, the machines 223 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:15,346 Are now taking over? - The machines, 224 00:10:15,348 --> 00:10:17,949 Taking over to-to keep her alive so they can-- 225 00:10:17,951 --> 00:10:20,084 Until they could determine what in the world 226 00:10:20,086 --> 00:10:21,419 Was going on. 227 00:10:21,421 --> 00:10:23,521 - At some point, alan, did they realize that 228 00:10:23,523 --> 00:10:25,156 This is one of their own? 229 00:10:25,158 --> 00:10:26,758 This is that brilliant young doctor that works 230 00:10:26,760 --> 00:10:29,694 In the woman's neurology unit? - They did, at one point. 231 00:10:29,696 --> 00:10:31,562 I don't know that they would have treated anyone 232 00:10:31,564 --> 00:10:34,232 Any-any differently. But she was one of them. 233 00:10:34,234 --> 00:10:36,501 One of the team. 234 00:10:36,503 --> 00:10:39,170 - When autumn's husband, medical researcher bob ferrante 235 00:10:39,172 --> 00:10:41,773 Arrived in the trauma room, he tried to give the team 236 00:10:41,775 --> 00:10:43,675 Some of his wife's medical history. 237 00:10:43,677 --> 00:10:46,778 He explained she'd been on fertility hormones. 238 00:10:46,780 --> 00:10:50,248 - She had headaches, fainting spells, 239 00:10:50,250 --> 00:10:52,350 And that she generally was expressing that 240 00:10:52,352 --> 00:10:54,919 She hadn't been feeling well. 241 00:10:54,921 --> 00:10:57,655 - He told the er doctors he thought his wife 242 00:10:57,657 --> 00:10:58,790 Had suffered a stroke, 243 00:10:58,792 --> 00:11:01,693 Though diagnostic tests said otherwise. 244 00:11:01,695 --> 00:11:05,329 By then, bob ferrante had already called his father 245 00:11:05,331 --> 00:11:07,932 And mother-in-law at their home near baltimore 246 00:11:07,934 --> 00:11:10,535 With the bad news. 247 00:11:10,537 --> 00:11:13,304 Autumn's mother lois klein said they got in the car 248 00:11:13,306 --> 00:11:16,141 Immediately to drive through the night to pittsburgh. 249 00:11:16,143 --> 00:11:18,209 She was counting out the exits. 250 00:11:18,211 --> 00:11:21,079 - And I said please, let me get to frederick, 251 00:11:21,081 --> 00:11:24,215 Then please let me get to hagerstown. 252 00:11:24,217 --> 00:11:26,150 Please let me get to hancock 253 00:11:26,152 --> 00:11:29,220 And please let me get to pittsburgh. 254 00:11:29,222 --> 00:11:30,755 - Back in the er, a resident, 255 00:11:30,757 --> 00:11:33,091 Trying to rally autumn's failing body, 256 00:11:33,093 --> 00:11:36,828 Stuck an iv into her and noticed something quite odd. 257 00:11:36,830 --> 00:11:39,864 Her blood in his tube showed shocking red. 258 00:11:39,866 --> 00:11:42,934 And the observation of that doc at the bedside 259 00:11:42,936 --> 00:11:44,102 That this blood is too red. 260 00:11:44,104 --> 00:11:48,806 Why am I seeing blood this brilliantly red saturation? 261 00:11:48,808 --> 00:11:51,609 - To them, this was out of this world. 262 00:11:51,611 --> 00:11:54,245 Just couldn't make any sense out of it. 263 00:11:54,247 --> 00:11:57,381 - Eventually, autumn went into cardiac arrest. 264 00:11:57,383 --> 00:12:00,051 Doctors managed to bring her back, barely. 265 00:12:00,053 --> 00:12:02,453 - They actually took turns, um, 266 00:12:02,455 --> 00:12:05,723 Doing chest compressions to try to get 267 00:12:05,725 --> 00:12:07,325 Some reaction from her; 268 00:12:07,327 --> 00:12:10,294 To try to get her heart, uh, moving and pumping again. 269 00:12:10,296 --> 00:12:12,997 - Another doctor reviewed autumn's symptoms 270 00:12:12,999 --> 00:12:14,699 And ordered up a test. 271 00:12:14,701 --> 00:12:17,635 He wanted a toxicology screen of her blood. 272 00:12:17,637 --> 00:12:19,403 Hours passed. 273 00:12:19,405 --> 00:12:21,472 Her blood was being pumped into a machine 274 00:12:21,474 --> 00:12:25,143 That was doing the oxygenating work of her heart and lungs. 275 00:12:25,145 --> 00:12:27,945 At some point, word had reached her cousin sharon, 276 00:12:27,947 --> 00:12:30,047 Now living in washington state. 277 00:12:30,049 --> 00:12:33,217 Sharon talked by phone to autumn's frantic husband bob 278 00:12:33,219 --> 00:12:36,087 And was grateful for his medical background. 279 00:12:36,089 --> 00:12:38,322 - He was calling his colleagues. 280 00:12:38,324 --> 00:12:39,657 You know, he knows this neurologist 281 00:12:39,659 --> 00:12:41,125 Or this person, you know. 282 00:12:41,127 --> 00:12:44,228 Great, you know, use your resources. 283 00:12:44,230 --> 00:12:47,131 You know? I had no idea what was going on. 284 00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:50,235 - Eventually though, autumn lost brain function. 285 00:12:50,237 --> 00:12:53,237 By the time her parents finally made it to the hospital, 286 00:12:53,239 --> 00:12:55,039 They could see there was little hope 287 00:12:55,041 --> 00:12:56,307 For their daughter. 288 00:12:56,309 --> 00:12:59,243 - They had a lot of tubes and things hooked up to her. 289 00:12:59,245 --> 00:13:01,846 And I held her hand, 290 00:13:01,848 --> 00:13:04,248 And I talked to her, 291 00:13:04,250 --> 00:13:07,986 And I told her, 292 00:13:07,988 --> 00:13:10,221 You heal everybody else's brain, 293 00:13:10,223 --> 00:13:14,659 Why can't you heal your own? 294 00:13:14,661 --> 00:13:17,528 - Sharon wanted desperately to fly out from washington state 295 00:13:17,530 --> 00:13:21,332 To see autumn, but her aunt lois told her to wait. 296 00:13:21,334 --> 00:13:23,134 - That's my other half in that hospital bed; 297 00:13:23,136 --> 00:13:24,602 I need to be there. 298 00:13:24,604 --> 00:13:27,872 - Doctors managed to keep autumn alive for two full days. 299 00:13:27,874 --> 00:13:29,006 At some point, 300 00:13:29,008 --> 00:13:31,409 Sharon could tell that autumn's grieving husband 301 00:13:31,411 --> 00:13:33,344 Had run out of hope. 302 00:13:33,346 --> 00:13:36,214 - And he did say to me I'm going to go spend 303 00:13:36,216 --> 00:13:40,518 The last night with the love of my life. 304 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:44,155 And at the time, I thought it's not over yet. 305 00:13:46,426 --> 00:13:51,062 - But in the er suite, everyone knew it was. 306 00:13:51,064 --> 00:13:53,331 Autumn's little girl was brought to her bedside. 307 00:13:53,333 --> 00:13:56,567 - She made some comment to somebody about 308 00:13:56,569 --> 00:14:00,238 "I don't think mommy's ever going to come home again." 309 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:03,207 - On the third day after she'd been wheeled into the er, 310 00:14:03,209 --> 00:14:05,910 Autumn's exhausted colleagues pronounced her dead 311 00:14:05,912 --> 00:14:09,380 And turned off the machines keeping her alive. 312 00:14:09,382 --> 00:14:11,782 - A lot of my life feels like it doesn't make sense 313 00:14:11,784 --> 00:14:13,050 Without her. You know? 314 00:14:13,052 --> 00:14:15,186 She was there for everything. 315 00:14:15,188 --> 00:14:18,256 - Autumn's husband and family now had funeral plans to make 316 00:14:18,258 --> 00:14:20,691 And even darker days to get through. 317 00:14:20,693 --> 00:14:22,960 But one person wasn't done with the mysterious case 318 00:14:22,962 --> 00:14:24,395 Of autumn klein. 319 00:14:24,397 --> 00:14:27,665 His work was just getting started. 320 00:14:27,667 --> 00:14:30,335 Dr. Todd luckasevic, associate medical examiner 321 00:14:30,337 --> 00:14:34,205 For allegheny county, performed the autopsy on autumn. 322 00:14:34,207 --> 00:14:37,475 - It was regarded as a sudden unexpected death. 323 00:14:38,711 --> 00:14:41,145 - Which meant the county needed to figure out why 324 00:14:41,147 --> 00:14:43,648 This otherwise healthy woman was dead. 325 00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:46,484 There was no reason to suspect fertility hormones, 326 00:14:46,486 --> 00:14:48,552 Vitamins, or supplements like creatine 327 00:14:48,554 --> 00:14:50,488 Could have led to her collapse. 328 00:14:50,490 --> 00:14:53,224 Her brain showed no signs of a stroke, 329 00:14:53,226 --> 00:14:55,426 Though an examination of the heart did reveal 330 00:14:55,428 --> 00:14:58,029 An abnormally shaped heart valve. 331 00:14:58,031 --> 00:15:00,498 - It's a congenital anomaly found in approximately 332 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:02,100 2% of the population. 333 00:15:02,102 --> 00:15:03,768 - Does it lead to early death? 334 00:15:03,770 --> 00:15:06,837 - Not in your 40's. Uh, you need to be symptomatic. 335 00:15:06,839 --> 00:15:09,307 - At the conclusion of autumn klein's autopsy, 336 00:15:09,309 --> 00:15:11,309 The medical examiner was perplexed 337 00:15:11,311 --> 00:15:14,245 As to what killed this woman. - I'm not seeing anything. 338 00:15:14,247 --> 00:15:17,715 I'm seeing a healthy white female that, 339 00:15:17,717 --> 00:15:20,751 For all intents and purpose, should be alive. 340 00:15:20,753 --> 00:15:23,054 - On the form that asked for cause of death, 341 00:15:23,056 --> 00:15:25,056 Dr. Luckasevic wrote "pending," 342 00:15:25,058 --> 00:15:26,590 No definitive answer. 343 00:15:26,592 --> 00:15:29,594 But in a few days' time, he would have more information. 344 00:15:29,596 --> 00:15:31,729 The blood work was back from the lab. 345 00:15:31,731 --> 00:15:37,668 Autumn klein had suffered a very unnatural death. 346 00:15:37,670 --> 00:15:40,138 - A medical mystery was about to be solved. 347 00:15:40,140 --> 00:15:43,040 Those lab results would leave autumn's loved ones 348 00:15:43,042 --> 00:15:47,512 Stunned and turn this case into a who-done-it. 349 00:15:50,817 --> 00:15:53,184 What exactly had killed autumn? 350 00:15:53,186 --> 00:15:57,021 - I was shocked. And I couldn't say anything. 351 00:15:57,023 --> 00:15:59,724 - Or is the question who? 352 00:15:59,726 --> 00:16:02,827 When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 353 00:16:06,765 --> 00:16:12,403 ♪♪ 354 00:16:12,405 --> 00:16:15,506 - Two days after allegheny county's associate medical examiner 355 00:16:15,508 --> 00:16:18,142 Performed his autopsy on autumn klein, 356 00:16:18,144 --> 00:16:19,377 The phone rang. 357 00:16:19,379 --> 00:16:21,846 The voice on the other end was from the hospital. 358 00:16:21,848 --> 00:16:23,714 Autumn's blood tests were back. 359 00:16:23,716 --> 00:16:26,117 Dr. Todd luckasevic was startled to hear 360 00:16:26,119 --> 00:16:27,985 What the lab found. 361 00:16:27,987 --> 00:16:30,721 - Lethal deadly amount of cyanide. 362 00:16:30,723 --> 00:16:32,123 - What did that tell you? 363 00:16:32,125 --> 00:16:34,925 - That told me that I have a cause of death now. 364 00:16:34,927 --> 00:16:38,429 - Cyanide, the poison of the nazi death camps 365 00:16:38,431 --> 00:16:40,999 And the jonestown massacre of the '70s. 366 00:16:41,001 --> 00:16:45,003 Lethal, fast-killing stuff. Not a common cause of death. 367 00:16:45,005 --> 00:16:48,473 - I have done approximately 3500 cases in my career 368 00:16:48,475 --> 00:16:52,076 And this is my first case of cyanide poisoning. 369 00:16:52,078 --> 00:16:54,812 - The lab's toxicology work found cyanide levels 370 00:16:54,814 --> 00:16:58,849 Of 3.35 milligrams per liter in autumn's blood. 371 00:16:58,851 --> 00:17:00,684 - So, this is a lot of cyanide. 372 00:17:00,686 --> 00:17:02,053 - That is correct. 373 00:17:02,055 --> 00:17:05,122 - Still, he needed to confirm the results with his own tests. 374 00:17:05,124 --> 00:17:07,792 He wanted to reexamine autumn's remains to see 375 00:17:07,794 --> 00:17:11,028 If he could find cyanide in other parts of her body. 376 00:17:11,030 --> 00:17:14,098 But by then, he had released it to the funeral home. 377 00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:16,233 - So, here's an-an easy solution. 378 00:17:16,235 --> 00:17:18,235 You go back to the body and you take a second look. 379 00:17:18,237 --> 00:17:19,904 - Would love to. 380 00:17:19,906 --> 00:17:22,640 Uh, when we got the phone call on Tuesday 381 00:17:22,642 --> 00:17:26,644 That she had a lethal level of cyanide in her blood, 382 00:17:26,646 --> 00:17:28,712 I called immediately to the funeral home 383 00:17:28,714 --> 00:17:30,648 And she had already been cremated. 384 00:17:30,650 --> 00:17:33,551 - But the m.E. Still had samples of autumn's blood. 385 00:17:33,553 --> 00:17:37,588 Its toxicology unit performed its own tests for cyanide. 386 00:17:37,590 --> 00:17:41,059 Analyst alicia smith added a simple solution to the blood. 387 00:17:41,061 --> 00:17:43,527 If cyanide was present in the sample, 388 00:17:43,529 --> 00:17:46,864 It would turn the center well of this disc purple. 389 00:17:46,866 --> 00:17:49,867 She had luckasevic demonstrated what they found. 390 00:17:49,869 --> 00:17:53,071 - This example that we used today is-is very representative 391 00:17:53,073 --> 00:17:54,672 Of autumn klein's sample. 392 00:17:54,674 --> 00:17:56,474 It's-it's almost identical. 393 00:17:56,476 --> 00:17:59,410 - Sure enough, the sample changed color. 394 00:17:59,412 --> 00:18:03,180 - Her color change was a, uh, deep kind of dark purplish pink. 395 00:18:03,182 --> 00:18:05,816 And it was obviously positive for cyanide. 396 00:18:05,818 --> 00:18:07,451 - Does that saturation of color tell you 397 00:18:07,453 --> 00:18:10,020 You've got a lethal amount? - Oh, yes. Definitely. 398 00:18:10,022 --> 00:18:12,957 Uh, a-a-any amount, even the 1 milligram per liter, 399 00:18:12,959 --> 00:18:16,527 Even the light pink color change means there's cyanide there, 400 00:18:16,529 --> 00:18:19,497 A significant, toxic, if not lethal amount 401 00:18:19,499 --> 00:18:20,764 Of cyanide present. 402 00:18:20,766 --> 00:18:23,367 - Autumn klein had died of cyanide poisoning. 403 00:18:23,369 --> 00:18:25,636 No question about it, he said. 404 00:18:25,638 --> 00:18:28,172 He grew even more confident when he reviewed the details 405 00:18:28,174 --> 00:18:30,441 Of how she had collapsed and suffered. 406 00:18:30,443 --> 00:18:31,909 Cyanide, once ingested, 407 00:18:31,911 --> 00:18:35,045 Can quickly starve the body of oxygen. 408 00:18:35,047 --> 00:18:36,947 - So, oxygen's on the blood, 409 00:18:36,949 --> 00:18:39,083 But it's not being utilized by the body. 410 00:18:39,085 --> 00:18:41,385 - It was the trapped oxygen that had turned the blood 411 00:18:41,387 --> 00:18:43,654 In autumn's veins that vivid red. 412 00:18:43,656 --> 00:18:46,790 He also considered the 911 call. 413 00:18:46,792 --> 00:18:48,926 As her husband is begging for help, 414 00:18:48,928 --> 00:18:51,129 Autumn could be heard moaning in the background. 415 00:18:58,171 --> 00:18:59,904 - Luckasevic says that was likely autumn 416 00:18:59,906 --> 00:19:02,406 Struggling to breathe, another important sign 417 00:19:02,408 --> 00:19:04,608 That cyanide was in her system. 418 00:19:04,610 --> 00:19:06,677 He knew he had a bizarre death on his hands 419 00:19:06,679 --> 00:19:08,880 And immediately contacted the police. 420 00:19:08,882 --> 00:19:10,848 - I called the detectives and I let them know 421 00:19:10,850 --> 00:19:13,117 Cause of death is cyanide poisoning. 422 00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:15,819 You need to help me with the manner of death. 423 00:19:15,821 --> 00:19:18,222 - He wanted to know if autumn had died by suicide 424 00:19:18,224 --> 00:19:21,358 Or been poisoned. In other words, murdered. 425 00:19:21,360 --> 00:19:23,427 - There's a note on my desk saying that the coroner's office 426 00:19:23,429 --> 00:19:27,398 Had a, um, a woman come in who had a lethal level 427 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:28,866 Of cyanide in her system. 428 00:19:28,868 --> 00:19:30,367 - Cyanide poisoning? - Yes. 429 00:19:30,369 --> 00:19:32,469 - How many of those have you seen in your career? 430 00:19:32,471 --> 00:19:34,104 - This is my first one. 431 00:19:34,106 --> 00:19:36,073 - Soon, autumn's mom was given the news about 432 00:19:36,075 --> 00:19:37,942 The blood results. 433 00:19:37,944 --> 00:19:41,045 She then called her niece sharon king out in washington. 434 00:19:41,047 --> 00:19:42,380 - She said "are you sitting down?" 435 00:19:42,382 --> 00:19:45,049 I was like, "okay." 436 00:19:45,051 --> 00:19:48,352 Then she said it was cyanide. 437 00:19:48,354 --> 00:19:49,954 - Just like that? 438 00:19:52,058 --> 00:19:54,191 - And I was shocked. 439 00:19:54,193 --> 00:19:58,395 And I couldn't say anything. I couldn't catch my breath. 440 00:19:58,397 --> 00:20:00,931 - When autumn's colleague dr. Karen rouse heard about it, 441 00:20:00,933 --> 00:20:03,334 She knew right away her friend had suffered 442 00:20:03,336 --> 00:20:05,469 An agonizing death. 443 00:20:05,471 --> 00:20:07,671 - As a medical professional, I know about how people die 444 00:20:07,673 --> 00:20:11,475 Of cyanide poisoning. 445 00:20:11,477 --> 00:20:13,410 And I couldn't dwell on that. 446 00:20:13,412 --> 00:20:16,547 - And just as in an old agatha christie cozy murder mystery 447 00:20:16,549 --> 00:20:18,882 About a cyanide poisoning in the village, 448 00:20:18,884 --> 00:20:21,285 The inspector was about to call. 449 00:20:21,287 --> 00:20:23,554 Pittsburgh's senior investigators were on route 450 00:20:23,556 --> 00:20:25,623 To talk to robert ferrante. 451 00:20:25,625 --> 00:20:28,693 Did he have any idea how cyanide found its way 452 00:20:28,695 --> 00:20:31,362 Into the bloodstream of his late wife? 453 00:20:33,866 --> 00:20:38,970 - A husband's theory of how and why his wife died. 454 00:20:38,972 --> 00:20:39,970 - So, what did he say? 455 00:20:39,972 --> 00:20:41,372 - Why would she do this to herself? 456 00:20:41,374 --> 00:20:43,574 - What was he suggesting? 457 00:20:43,576 --> 00:20:46,310 Did he know something that police didn't? 458 00:20:46,312 --> 00:20:49,947 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 459 00:20:53,718 --> 00:20:58,322 ♪♪ 460 00:20:58,324 --> 00:21:00,824 - Welcome back to "dateline: Secrets uncovered". 461 00:21:00,826 --> 00:21:02,426 I'm craig melvin. 462 00:21:02,428 --> 00:21:06,464 Autumn klein's sudden death left her loved ones reeling. 463 00:21:06,466 --> 00:21:09,733 Then the coroner delivered another blow. 464 00:21:09,735 --> 00:21:13,771 Autumn's cause of death? A lethal dose of cyanide. 465 00:21:13,773 --> 00:21:16,173 Now, police had the case. 466 00:21:16,175 --> 00:21:19,543 Investigators wondered if autumn had been poisoned, 467 00:21:19,545 --> 00:21:22,279 Was a toxic relationship to blame? 468 00:21:22,281 --> 00:21:23,948 Her husband was about to share 469 00:21:23,950 --> 00:21:26,617 His own interesting theory. 470 00:21:26,619 --> 00:21:29,020 Once again, here's dennis murphy 471 00:21:29,022 --> 00:21:30,888 With "lethal weapon". 472 00:21:30,890 --> 00:21:33,190 [beeping] 473 00:21:36,496 --> 00:21:38,896 - Five days after doctors turned off the machines 474 00:21:38,898 --> 00:21:40,497 On dr. Autumn klein, 475 00:21:40,499 --> 00:21:42,599 Pittsburgh police detectives made their way 476 00:21:42,601 --> 00:21:45,303 To the three-story brick house where she made a home 477 00:21:45,305 --> 00:21:46,737 With her daughter and husband, 478 00:21:46,739 --> 00:21:49,573 Medical researcher robert ferrante. 479 00:21:49,575 --> 00:21:52,510 Veteran detective jim mcgee took the lead. 480 00:21:52,512 --> 00:21:55,245 Ferrante greeted him and his partner. 481 00:21:55,247 --> 00:21:57,315 - We start talking to him and what he can tell us 482 00:21:57,317 --> 00:21:59,149 About what happened to his wife at that point. 483 00:21:59,151 --> 00:22:02,253 - Ferrante told the detectives how his wife had arrived home 484 00:22:02,255 --> 00:22:04,121 That night a little before midnight. 485 00:22:04,123 --> 00:22:05,723 - And how she came through the door and just 486 00:22:05,725 --> 00:22:08,092 Collapsed on the floor. - Oh, god! 487 00:22:08,094 --> 00:22:10,894 - He then recounted what he told 911. 488 00:22:10,896 --> 00:22:13,464 - I think my wife is having a stroke. 489 00:22:13,466 --> 00:22:15,399 - He thought his wife had suffered a stroke. 490 00:22:15,401 --> 00:22:18,902 The detectives informed him he was wrong about that. 491 00:22:18,904 --> 00:22:20,604 - We asked him if he knew that his wife died 492 00:22:20,606 --> 00:22:22,006 Of cyanide poisoning. 493 00:22:22,008 --> 00:22:23,407 - So, what did he say? 494 00:22:23,409 --> 00:22:25,142 - He kind of gasped and said, 495 00:22:25,144 --> 00:22:27,144 "why would she do this to herself? 496 00:22:27,146 --> 00:22:28,912 - Why would she do that to herself? 497 00:22:28,914 --> 00:22:30,147 - That's correct. 498 00:22:30,149 --> 00:22:32,883 - To the cops, the man looked visibly shaken. 499 00:22:32,885 --> 00:22:36,487 It seemed he was suggesting his wife had died by suicide. 500 00:22:36,489 --> 00:22:38,522 Ferrante then told the story about autumn 501 00:22:38,524 --> 00:22:40,791 Trying and failing to get pregnant. 502 00:22:40,793 --> 00:22:42,826 He said she had recently been taking the supplement 503 00:22:42,828 --> 00:22:46,497 Called creatine in the hopes it would help with fertility. 504 00:22:46,499 --> 00:22:49,166 Harry lutton, then a detective with the pittsburgh police, 505 00:22:49,168 --> 00:22:52,169 Understood the late wife's emotional agony. 506 00:22:52,171 --> 00:22:53,904 - She's trying to have another child 507 00:22:53,906 --> 00:22:55,906 And that's a lot of stress on a woman 508 00:22:55,908 --> 00:22:57,241 When they're trying to have children 509 00:22:57,243 --> 00:22:59,109 And they can't have children. 510 00:22:59,111 --> 00:23:00,845 - Could autumn's distressed state of mind 511 00:23:00,847 --> 00:23:02,646 Have led to suicide? 512 00:23:02,648 --> 00:23:05,082 Detectives had to consider that as a theory. 513 00:23:05,084 --> 00:23:06,116 But cyanide? 514 00:23:06,118 --> 00:23:08,319 That's an unusual way to kill yourself 515 00:23:08,321 --> 00:23:10,687 And it's a hard-to-get poison. 516 00:23:10,689 --> 00:23:13,190 How could autumn have gotten her hands on it? 517 00:23:13,192 --> 00:23:15,793 - Well, we looked into the labs that, 518 00:23:15,795 --> 00:23:17,728 You know, where she worked. 519 00:23:17,730 --> 00:23:19,329 She didn't work in a lab. 520 00:23:19,331 --> 00:23:21,365 Um, she worked with patients. 521 00:23:21,367 --> 00:23:22,666 - She was a clinic doctor, right? 522 00:23:22,668 --> 00:23:23,634 - Yes. - She was working hands-on. 523 00:23:23,636 --> 00:23:25,235 - Yes. 524 00:23:25,237 --> 00:23:27,771 - But there were other labs at the medical complex. 525 00:23:27,773 --> 00:23:30,974 Labs stocked with poisons, including cyanide. 526 00:23:30,976 --> 00:23:34,311 Maybe autumn wandered into one of those. 527 00:23:34,313 --> 00:23:36,614 Detectives pulled hospital security cam footage 528 00:23:36,616 --> 00:23:40,217 From that last day and here's what they saw. 529 00:23:40,219 --> 00:23:43,353 That's autumn as she's getting ready to leave work. 530 00:23:43,355 --> 00:23:45,255 She goes up a set of escalators, 531 00:23:45,257 --> 00:23:47,291 Disappears for roughly six minutes 532 00:23:47,293 --> 00:23:50,994 Before coming back down and heading home. 533 00:23:50,996 --> 00:23:54,164 Question, in those minutes missing from the camera's eye, 534 00:23:54,166 --> 00:23:57,968 Had she found her way into a lab with toxins? 535 00:23:57,970 --> 00:24:00,170 - And maybe this is where she goes to get 536 00:24:00,172 --> 00:24:03,941 Her hands on cyanide to inexplicably kill herself? 537 00:24:03,943 --> 00:24:07,277 - That's correct. 538 00:24:07,279 --> 00:24:10,314 - Yet there was a problem with that scenario, a big one. 539 00:24:10,316 --> 00:24:13,784 The investigators learned that to get into any of those labs, 540 00:24:13,786 --> 00:24:17,588 Autumn would have needed a special access card. 541 00:24:17,590 --> 00:24:19,256 - Is there any sign that she had a card swipe 542 00:24:19,258 --> 00:24:21,124 That put her in an area 543 00:24:21,126 --> 00:24:22,393 Where another researcher or somebody 544 00:24:22,395 --> 00:24:23,727 Might have had cyanide? 545 00:24:23,729 --> 00:24:24,995 - No. 546 00:24:24,997 --> 00:24:28,999 There's no card swipes at the time that she left work. 547 00:24:29,001 --> 00:24:30,935 - The more they dug, the less detectives 548 00:24:30,937 --> 00:24:34,238 Believed this unexpected death was a suicide. 549 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:37,208 True, autumn was frustrated by her infertility, 550 00:24:37,210 --> 00:24:39,142 But disappointment was all it was, 551 00:24:39,144 --> 00:24:40,878 Thinks her cousin sharon. 552 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,547 Suicide was never on her radar. 553 00:24:43,549 --> 00:24:45,749 - That was not autumn. 554 00:24:45,751 --> 00:24:47,451 That was just not autumn. 555 00:24:47,453 --> 00:24:50,020 - Family, friends, and colleagues agreed. 556 00:24:50,022 --> 00:24:53,190 Autumn was a woman with plans to live, not die. 557 00:24:53,192 --> 00:24:54,892 She had a daughter she adored 558 00:24:54,894 --> 00:24:56,360 And was scheduling vacations 559 00:24:56,362 --> 00:25:00,631 And new research projects just before her death. 560 00:25:00,633 --> 00:25:01,765 - So, if she didn't take it, 561 00:25:01,767 --> 00:25:04,701 And your theory is that she hasn't killed herself, 562 00:25:04,703 --> 00:25:06,570 The only place to go is homicide. 563 00:25:06,572 --> 00:25:08,172 - That's correct. 564 00:25:08,174 --> 00:25:10,941 - Who would want to murder autumn klein? 565 00:25:10,943 --> 00:25:13,977 The spouse is almost always a suspect until they're not. 566 00:25:13,979 --> 00:25:16,113 But the husband here, bob ferrante, 567 00:25:16,115 --> 00:25:18,315 Was a renowned medical researcher. 568 00:25:18,317 --> 00:25:19,917 He didn't seem to fit the bill. 569 00:25:19,919 --> 00:25:21,252 - Professional guy. - Yes. 570 00:25:21,254 --> 00:25:22,319 - Well regarded. 571 00:25:22,321 --> 00:25:23,254 And there don't seem to be any money issues 572 00:25:23,256 --> 00:25:25,622 In the household. - That's true. 573 00:25:25,624 --> 00:25:28,525 - In fact, the marriage of ferrante and klein 574 00:25:28,527 --> 00:25:30,861 Appeared to outsiders to be a good one. 575 00:25:30,863 --> 00:25:32,396 Still, detectives had to consider 576 00:25:32,398 --> 00:25:34,464 The husband's line of research. 577 00:25:34,466 --> 00:25:37,134 He worked routinely with toxins in his lab. 578 00:25:37,136 --> 00:25:39,002 But not with cyanide. 579 00:25:39,004 --> 00:25:40,671 More than a week after they first 580 00:25:40,673 --> 00:25:41,805 Interviewed the husband, 581 00:25:41,807 --> 00:25:44,675 Detectives began talking to his lab associates. 582 00:25:44,677 --> 00:25:47,011 - The people that we talked to 583 00:25:47,013 --> 00:25:49,547 Said that there was no research with cyanide. 584 00:25:49,549 --> 00:25:51,281 - Yet detectives were just getting started 585 00:25:51,283 --> 00:25:53,017 With their investigation. 586 00:25:53,019 --> 00:25:55,485 They combed through labs and laptops, 587 00:25:55,487 --> 00:25:57,421 Interviewed friends and colleagues, 588 00:25:57,423 --> 00:26:00,223 Reanalyzed hospital footage. 589 00:26:00,225 --> 00:26:01,892 - I think once we got all that together 590 00:26:01,894 --> 00:26:03,561 And got all the pieces of that puzzle together, 591 00:26:03,563 --> 00:26:05,029 We had our picture. 592 00:26:05,031 --> 00:26:08,031 - A picture, he said, that revealed only one person 593 00:26:08,033 --> 00:26:11,168 Who had the motive and the means to kill autumn klein. 594 00:26:11,170 --> 00:26:13,437 Her husband, bob ferrante. 595 00:26:13,439 --> 00:26:15,973 Though the evidence was largely circumstantial, 596 00:26:15,975 --> 00:26:17,841 Three months after autumn's death, 597 00:26:17,843 --> 00:26:20,344 The cops were ready to make an arrest. 598 00:26:20,346 --> 00:26:21,445 At the time, 599 00:26:21,447 --> 00:26:24,214 Bob ferrante was visiting his sister in florida. 600 00:26:24,216 --> 00:26:27,985 Pittsburgh p.D. Detective lutton headed south to make the arrest. 601 00:26:27,987 --> 00:26:29,453 But when he got there, 602 00:26:29,455 --> 00:26:31,855 The sister said ferrante was gone. 603 00:26:31,857 --> 00:26:35,726 - She said that he got a phone call from an attorney 604 00:26:35,728 --> 00:26:37,828 And he got in the car and said I gotta go. 605 00:26:37,830 --> 00:26:38,762 And he left. 606 00:26:38,764 --> 00:26:40,263 - Did you think that dr. Ferrante 607 00:26:40,265 --> 00:26:42,399 Was doing a runner on you? 608 00:26:42,401 --> 00:26:43,567 He was trying to get away? 609 00:26:43,569 --> 00:26:46,503 - Yes, yes. 610 00:26:46,505 --> 00:26:48,372 I mean, we were told that he was going to his attorney, 611 00:26:48,374 --> 00:26:49,339 But he's running from us. 612 00:26:49,341 --> 00:26:50,407 He knew we were coming. 613 00:26:50,409 --> 00:26:51,541 - On your books, he's a fugitive? 614 00:26:51,543 --> 00:26:53,343 - Yes. 615 00:26:53,345 --> 00:26:54,778 - But not for long. 616 00:26:54,780 --> 00:26:55,812 As it turned out, 617 00:26:55,814 --> 00:26:57,547 Ferrante was on his way back to pittsburgh 618 00:26:57,549 --> 00:26:59,883 To turn himself in, says his attorney, 619 00:26:59,885 --> 00:27:02,919 When he was pulled over by state police in west virginia 620 00:27:02,921 --> 00:27:06,156 And later handed over to pittsburgh authorities. 621 00:27:06,158 --> 00:27:07,625 Police had their man. 622 00:27:07,627 --> 00:27:09,893 Now, they and the commonwealth of pennsylvania 623 00:27:09,895 --> 00:27:12,029 Had to prove to 12 men and women 624 00:27:12,031 --> 00:27:14,364 That he was the right one. 625 00:27:14,366 --> 00:27:17,234 - They heard a clean case. - They heard a very clean case. 626 00:27:17,236 --> 00:27:18,568 - To jeffrey a. Manning, 627 00:27:18,570 --> 00:27:20,571 The judge who would preside over it all, 628 00:27:20,573 --> 00:27:22,172 The case against bob ferrante, 629 00:27:22,174 --> 00:27:23,740 Far from a sure thing, 630 00:27:23,742 --> 00:27:26,843 Could well leave jurors scratching their heads. 631 00:27:26,845 --> 00:27:29,246 - And I'm not one for predicting verdicts, 632 00:27:29,248 --> 00:27:32,716 But I would not have predicted one here. 633 00:27:32,718 --> 00:27:33,617 - It could have gone either way 634 00:27:33,619 --> 00:27:34,651 And you wouldn't have been surprised? 635 00:27:34,653 --> 00:27:37,121 - That would be correct. 636 00:27:37,123 --> 00:27:40,457 - This power couple seemed to have a perfect life. 637 00:27:40,459 --> 00:27:44,194 So, why would bob ferrante want to end autumn's? 638 00:27:44,196 --> 00:27:47,531 A marriage was about to be dissected in court. 639 00:27:47,533 --> 00:27:49,499 Coming up... 640 00:27:49,501 --> 00:27:52,669 Was jealousy a possible motive for murder? 641 00:27:52,671 --> 00:27:56,573 What had bob ferrante discovered about his wife? 642 00:27:56,575 --> 00:27:57,675 - If this were somebody that she was 643 00:27:57,677 --> 00:28:01,378 Remotely interested in, she would have told me. 644 00:28:01,380 --> 00:28:05,049 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 645 00:28:07,752 --> 00:28:14,858 ♪♪ 646 00:28:14,860 --> 00:28:16,760 - Dr. Autumn klein and robert ferrante 647 00:28:16,762 --> 00:28:20,030 Had all the trappings of success and happiness. 648 00:28:20,032 --> 00:28:21,398 A nice three-story home 649 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:23,433 A short drive from the heart of the city, 650 00:28:23,435 --> 00:28:25,969 Prestigious jobs at the university of pittsburgh 651 00:28:25,971 --> 00:28:27,705 And its medical center. 652 00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:30,974 At one time, it all seemed enviable. 653 00:28:30,976 --> 00:28:32,776 - Did you think they were a good couple? 654 00:28:32,778 --> 00:28:35,179 - Yeah, yeah, I did. 655 00:28:35,181 --> 00:28:37,714 - And then it all went so wrong. 656 00:28:37,716 --> 00:28:40,484 Autumn, dead from apparent cyanide poisoning, 657 00:28:40,486 --> 00:28:42,586 Her husband now, a year and a half later, 658 00:28:42,588 --> 00:28:44,788 Standing trial for her murder. 659 00:28:44,790 --> 00:28:47,458 Even to the presiding judge, with years on the bench, 660 00:28:47,460 --> 00:28:49,459 This was a first. 661 00:28:49,461 --> 00:28:51,294 - You had a very intelligent man 662 00:28:51,296 --> 00:28:53,697 Who's accused of poisoning his wife. 663 00:28:53,699 --> 00:28:56,099 You have experts who argue with one another. 664 00:28:56,101 --> 00:28:57,667 - And tip-top good lawyering going on. 665 00:28:57,669 --> 00:29:00,137 - Very-very good lawyering, very good experts. 666 00:29:00,139 --> 00:29:02,806 - And it would be up to prosecutor lisa pellegrini 667 00:29:02,808 --> 00:29:04,875 To explain what drove an otherwise 668 00:29:04,877 --> 00:29:06,343 Mild-mannered scientist 669 00:29:06,345 --> 00:29:08,745 To kill the wife he supposedly loved. 670 00:29:08,747 --> 00:29:10,781 And in such a cruel manner. 671 00:29:10,783 --> 00:29:13,750 She opened by describing a man infuriated, 672 00:29:13,752 --> 00:29:16,620 One losing control of his more successful wife 673 00:29:16,622 --> 00:29:19,089 Who had, in turn, grown tired of him. 674 00:29:19,091 --> 00:29:20,424 - Alan jennings in the courthouse. 675 00:29:20,426 --> 00:29:23,326 - Reporter alan jennings was in the courtroom. 676 00:29:23,328 --> 00:29:27,764 - Prosecutors say he was obsessed, jealous. 677 00:29:27,766 --> 00:29:30,300 His marriage, he realized 678 00:29:30,302 --> 00:29:32,436 He was going to be dumped by his wife. 679 00:29:32,438 --> 00:29:34,304 - The prosecutor asserted that the marriage 680 00:29:34,306 --> 00:29:36,707 Was in free-fall at the time of her death. 681 00:29:36,709 --> 00:29:39,643 Autumn believed her husband had emotionally checked out, 682 00:29:39,645 --> 00:29:41,344 Especially when it came to the issue 683 00:29:41,346 --> 00:29:43,247 Of having another child. 684 00:29:43,249 --> 00:29:45,115 She more or less told her cousin sharon 685 00:29:45,117 --> 00:29:46,984 He was a cold fish. 686 00:29:46,986 --> 00:29:48,318 - My husband is a psychologist 687 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:49,986 And she said I need you to ask him 688 00:29:49,988 --> 00:29:52,689 If there is such a gene as for compassion. 689 00:29:52,691 --> 00:29:55,225 Because if there is, then bob is lacking it. 690 00:29:55,227 --> 00:29:56,459 - Wow! 691 00:29:56,461 --> 00:29:58,728 That just describes acres of sadness, doesn't it? 692 00:29:58,730 --> 00:30:01,932 - Yeah, yeah. 693 00:30:01,934 --> 00:30:03,200 - The prosecutor showed an email 694 00:30:03,202 --> 00:30:04,601 Autumn had sent her husband 695 00:30:04,603 --> 00:30:06,303 In the months before her death. 696 00:30:06,305 --> 00:30:06,970 She wrote, 697 00:30:14,747 --> 00:30:16,680 - Did she ever say, sharon, I'm going to leave him? 698 00:30:16,682 --> 00:30:18,715 This isn't working? - Yes, she did. 699 00:30:18,717 --> 00:30:19,683 - She said that to you? - She did to me, yes. 700 00:30:19,685 --> 00:30:22,986 - And he was positively rattled to the core, 701 00:30:22,988 --> 00:30:24,354 Said the prosecutor, 702 00:30:24,356 --> 00:30:26,623 When he found out autumn was texting and emailing 703 00:30:26,625 --> 00:30:28,625 A male colleague she'd spent time with 704 00:30:28,627 --> 00:30:31,161 At a conference in san francisco. 705 00:30:31,163 --> 00:30:33,029 Bob ferrante, said the prosecutor, 706 00:30:33,031 --> 00:30:35,765 Suspected his wife was having an affair. 707 00:30:35,767 --> 00:30:38,502 Autumn's cousin was certain that wasn't true. 708 00:30:38,504 --> 00:30:39,769 - If this were somebody 709 00:30:39,771 --> 00:30:42,739 That she was remotely interested in, 710 00:30:42,741 --> 00:30:44,374 She would have told me. 711 00:30:44,376 --> 00:30:45,508 - So, you don't think anything physical 712 00:30:45,510 --> 00:30:46,376 Was happening certainly. 713 00:30:46,378 --> 00:30:49,179 - No, no. 714 00:30:49,181 --> 00:30:50,914 - But as the prosecutors told it, 715 00:30:50,916 --> 00:30:53,116 The defendant believed otherwise. 716 00:30:53,118 --> 00:30:55,518 Rather than shoring up a crumbling marriage, 717 00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:58,889 The embittered scientist, his wife the new rising star, 718 00:30:58,891 --> 00:31:01,691 Came up with a cold-blooded solution. 719 00:31:01,693 --> 00:31:03,260 He poisoned her. 720 00:31:03,262 --> 00:31:04,594 - The motivation, 721 00:31:04,596 --> 00:31:08,798 Just jealousy that if he couldn't have her, 722 00:31:08,800 --> 00:31:10,467 No one was going to have her. 723 00:31:10,469 --> 00:31:12,402 - Ferrante, the prosecutor said, 724 00:31:12,404 --> 00:31:14,237 Thought he could get rid of his wife quickly 725 00:31:14,239 --> 00:31:15,972 By slipping her cyanide. 726 00:31:15,974 --> 00:31:17,741 When she didn't die immediately, 727 00:31:17,743 --> 00:31:19,676 He had to come up with a plan b 728 00:31:19,678 --> 00:31:22,279 To mislead the paramedics and doctors. 729 00:31:22,281 --> 00:31:25,181 The prosecutor played that 911 call. 730 00:31:25,183 --> 00:31:27,717 - I think my wife is having a stroke. 731 00:31:27,719 --> 00:31:29,486 - The prosecution was establishing 732 00:31:29,488 --> 00:31:35,892 Dr. Ferrante's attempts to lead everybody that he encountered, 733 00:31:35,894 --> 00:31:38,128 Starting with the 911 operator. 734 00:31:38,130 --> 00:31:40,430 And he said, "well, I think she's had a stroke." 735 00:31:40,432 --> 00:31:43,033 - So, steering it. - Steering it. 736 00:31:43,035 --> 00:31:46,002 - Then when autumn finally died, according to the prosecutor, 737 00:31:46,004 --> 00:31:48,038 Ferrante said something that he thought 738 00:31:48,040 --> 00:31:50,941 Would keep the cause of death secret. 739 00:31:50,943 --> 00:31:53,843 Lois klein testified that her son-in-law said flatly 740 00:31:53,845 --> 00:31:56,046 He did not want an autopsy. 741 00:31:56,048 --> 00:31:58,315 - I said, "I'm her mother and I want an autopsy." 742 00:31:58,317 --> 00:31:59,883 - Because you wanted to know the cause of death? 743 00:31:59,885 --> 00:32:01,785 - I said, "I can't believe you don't want to know 744 00:32:01,787 --> 00:32:04,187 What happened to her." 745 00:32:04,189 --> 00:32:08,692 And his response was that, um, people do that. 746 00:32:08,694 --> 00:32:10,594 They do autopsies 747 00:32:10,596 --> 00:32:13,730 And then the people don't want to know the results of it. 748 00:32:13,732 --> 00:32:17,634 So, that was that. 749 00:32:17,636 --> 00:32:20,937 - The prosecution had described a man who'd lost control 750 00:32:20,939 --> 00:32:22,739 Of his wife, killed her, 751 00:32:22,741 --> 00:32:25,809 And then tried desperately to cover it up. 752 00:32:25,811 --> 00:32:27,410 Defense attorneys bill difenderfer 753 00:32:27,412 --> 00:32:28,878 And wendy williams. 754 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:30,847 - You get this picture of a jealous guy 755 00:32:30,849 --> 00:32:33,650 Whose career is being eclipsed by his wife, 756 00:32:33,652 --> 00:32:35,785 Thinks she's got a lover, and bang, she's dead. 757 00:32:35,787 --> 00:32:37,020 - Well, that's the spin that the commonwealth 758 00:32:37,022 --> 00:32:37,821 Put on this thing. 759 00:32:37,823 --> 00:32:38,889 And obviously, 760 00:32:38,891 --> 00:32:41,091 We think the reality is that's not the case. 761 00:32:41,093 --> 00:32:43,093 - They said the prosecutor's alleged motive here 762 00:32:43,095 --> 00:32:44,761 Made for great melodrama, 763 00:32:44,763 --> 00:32:47,664 But it was miles away from the truth. 764 00:32:47,666 --> 00:32:51,368 - Bob was very successful, um, huntington's disease, 765 00:32:51,370 --> 00:32:54,337 Als on the verge of some big breakthroughs. 766 00:32:54,339 --> 00:32:55,672 - Bob ferrante, they countered, 767 00:32:55,674 --> 00:32:57,974 Was a brilliant researcher and a loving man 768 00:32:57,976 --> 00:33:00,510 Devoted to helping his wife, not hurting her. 769 00:33:00,512 --> 00:33:01,978 And to sell that image, 770 00:33:01,980 --> 00:33:03,713 They flabbergasted the courtroom 771 00:33:03,715 --> 00:33:06,783 By calling the defendant himself to the stand. 772 00:33:06,785 --> 00:33:09,919 - So, in this case, the defendant made that choice. 773 00:33:09,921 --> 00:33:13,957 I've often said that it's risky, at best. 774 00:33:13,959 --> 00:33:16,126 That the minute the defendant takes the stand, 775 00:33:16,128 --> 00:33:18,461 We now have the government's proof 776 00:33:18,463 --> 00:33:21,431 Versus the defendant's credibility. 777 00:33:21,433 --> 00:33:23,333 - A gamble his defense team said ferrante 778 00:33:23,335 --> 00:33:24,901 Was willing to make. 779 00:33:24,903 --> 00:33:27,871 He wanted jurors to see him for the man he was, 780 00:33:27,873 --> 00:33:31,208 One who loved his bright, complicated wife. 781 00:33:31,210 --> 00:33:33,676 - He wanted to help the jury understand 782 00:33:33,678 --> 00:33:35,078 What was going on in their marriage. 783 00:33:35,080 --> 00:33:38,615 And-and, you know, tell them how badly 784 00:33:38,617 --> 00:33:40,216 His wife wanted to have a child. 785 00:33:40,218 --> 00:33:41,618 - Yes, he conceded, 786 00:33:41,620 --> 00:33:44,554 He had been a jealous husband for a brief moment, 787 00:33:44,556 --> 00:33:46,489 But then he and autumn had kissed and made up 788 00:33:46,491 --> 00:33:49,092 In the weeks before her death. 789 00:33:49,094 --> 00:33:51,061 - They go on a trip to puerto rico 790 00:33:51,063 --> 00:33:52,195 With their daughter. 791 00:33:52,197 --> 00:33:54,364 As the neighbors described, when they come back, 792 00:33:54,366 --> 00:33:56,166 They're glowing, they're in love, 793 00:33:56,168 --> 00:33:57,600 They're holding hands. 794 00:33:57,602 --> 00:34:00,570 Those actions speak a thousand words. 795 00:34:00,572 --> 00:34:02,572 - In the moments after his wife collapsed, 796 00:34:02,574 --> 00:34:05,242 He said he honestly thought she was having a stroke. 797 00:34:05,244 --> 00:34:06,509 When she died, 798 00:34:06,511 --> 00:34:08,578 He wanted simply to honor her wishes 799 00:34:08,580 --> 00:34:10,047 And donate her organs. 800 00:34:10,049 --> 00:34:12,682 And that's why he did not want an autopsy. 801 00:34:12,684 --> 00:34:14,451 - He was aware that if an autopsy is done, 802 00:34:14,453 --> 00:34:15,919 A full autopsy is done, 803 00:34:15,921 --> 00:34:18,388 It will destroy the ability to donate the organs, 804 00:34:18,390 --> 00:34:20,790 Which was his wife's request. 805 00:34:20,792 --> 00:34:22,993 - A loving and loyal husband to the end, 806 00:34:22,995 --> 00:34:24,427 According to the defense. 807 00:34:24,429 --> 00:34:26,329 Not a mad scientist treating his wife 808 00:34:26,331 --> 00:34:29,265 Like a lab rat, killing her with cyanide. 809 00:34:29,267 --> 00:34:30,733 Speaking of which, they said, 810 00:34:30,735 --> 00:34:34,938 The prosecution's claim of how autumn died was all wrong. 811 00:34:34,940 --> 00:34:37,340 - There was not evidence that my client, 812 00:34:37,342 --> 00:34:39,109 Um, had anything to do with her death, 813 00:34:39,111 --> 00:34:42,746 Let alone her death caused by cyanide. 814 00:34:42,748 --> 00:34:44,347 - An age-old poison, 815 00:34:44,349 --> 00:34:46,216 It's connection to a medical researcher 816 00:34:46,218 --> 00:34:47,617 And his doctor wife 817 00:34:47,619 --> 00:34:49,252 Were about to be analyzed beneath 818 00:34:49,254 --> 00:34:51,788 A very different kind of microscope, 819 00:34:51,790 --> 00:34:54,624 The unforgiving eye of the law. 820 00:34:54,626 --> 00:34:56,292 - Coming up... 821 00:34:56,294 --> 00:34:59,262 Would someone as smart as robert ferrante 822 00:34:59,264 --> 00:35:01,097 Really use something as obvious 823 00:35:01,099 --> 00:35:03,967 And as easy to trace as cyanide? 824 00:35:03,969 --> 00:35:05,902 - Well, that's like me buying a shotgun, 825 00:35:05,904 --> 00:35:07,838 Telling everybody hey, I just bought a shotgun, 826 00:35:07,840 --> 00:35:08,905 And two hours later, 827 00:35:08,907 --> 00:35:10,773 My wife is deceased from a shotgun shot. 828 00:35:10,775 --> 00:35:11,841 - Couldn't be that stupid. 829 00:35:11,843 --> 00:35:12,909 - He would be the dumbest guy in the universe. 830 00:35:12,911 --> 00:35:16,413 - When "dateline: Secrets uncovered" continues. 831 00:35:19,584 --> 00:35:24,254 ♪♪ 832 00:35:24,256 --> 00:35:25,322 - Welcome back. 833 00:35:25,324 --> 00:35:28,124 Medical researcher bob ferrante was on trial 834 00:35:28,126 --> 00:35:31,327 For the murder of his wife, dr. Autumn klein. 835 00:35:31,329 --> 00:35:34,531 Prosecutors argued that the marriage was in trouble 836 00:35:34,533 --> 00:35:37,333 And the scientist could easily get hold 837 00:35:37,335 --> 00:35:39,169 Of the toxin that killed autumn. 838 00:35:39,171 --> 00:35:43,473 Now, bob's defense team was about to make a bold claim. 839 00:35:43,475 --> 00:35:45,208 This loving husband 840 00:35:45,210 --> 00:35:48,077 Could not have possibly committed the crime 841 00:35:48,079 --> 00:35:51,080 Because there was no crime at all. 842 00:35:51,082 --> 00:35:53,216 Here's dennis murphy with the conclusion 843 00:35:53,218 --> 00:35:56,953 Of "lethal weapon." 844 00:35:56,955 --> 00:35:58,421 - The commonwealth of pennsylvania 845 00:35:58,423 --> 00:36:00,123 Had tried to paint robert ferrante 846 00:36:00,125 --> 00:36:01,624 As a jealous husband, 847 00:36:01,626 --> 00:36:04,627 Driven by rage to poison his wife. 848 00:36:04,629 --> 00:36:05,695 How did he do it? 849 00:36:05,697 --> 00:36:07,830 Prosecutors believed he slipped the cyanide 850 00:36:07,832 --> 00:36:09,900 Inside a drink and gave it to her 851 00:36:09,902 --> 00:36:12,435 Shortly after she came home that night. 852 00:36:12,437 --> 00:36:16,306 A theory, said judge manning, that was tough to prove. 853 00:36:16,308 --> 00:36:19,175 - No one stood there with their two eyes and said, 854 00:36:19,177 --> 00:36:20,910 I saw him put the cyanide 855 00:36:20,912 --> 00:36:22,712 In the drink and give it to her. 856 00:36:22,714 --> 00:36:23,913 No one said that. 857 00:36:23,915 --> 00:36:25,215 - That is a weak point in the prosecution's argument. 858 00:36:25,217 --> 00:36:26,683 They wish they had it, but they didn't. 859 00:36:26,685 --> 00:36:27,650 - Of course, it is. 860 00:36:27,652 --> 00:36:29,052 But keep in mind, circumstantial evidence, 861 00:36:29,054 --> 00:36:31,521 Even though most people don't-don't believe 862 00:36:31,523 --> 00:36:34,591 What it really is, is very powerful. 863 00:36:34,593 --> 00:36:38,461 - Prosecutor lisa pellegrini told the court that ferrante 864 00:36:38,463 --> 00:36:40,430 Used his wife's vulnerability, 865 00:36:40,432 --> 00:36:42,065 Namely her infertility, 866 00:36:42,067 --> 00:36:45,068 To trick her into taking cyanide that night. 867 00:36:45,070 --> 00:36:47,938 Earlier in the day, autumn had sent him this text. 868 00:36:47,940 --> 00:36:49,539 I ovulate tomorrow. 869 00:36:49,541 --> 00:36:51,741 He texted back perfect timing. 870 00:36:51,743 --> 00:36:53,743 Creatine, smiley face. 871 00:36:53,745 --> 00:36:55,612 - Creatine? - Creatine. 872 00:36:55,614 --> 00:36:58,448 - This is the solution. - This is it. 873 00:36:58,450 --> 00:37:00,083 - Ferrante, the prosecutor alleged, 874 00:37:00,085 --> 00:37:02,085 Had convinced his wife that creatine 875 00:37:02,087 --> 00:37:04,053 Could help her get pregnant. 876 00:37:04,055 --> 00:37:06,322 He whipped up a poison drink knowing she'd take it 877 00:37:06,324 --> 00:37:08,591 As soon as she came home. 878 00:37:08,593 --> 00:37:10,326 The poison drink theory was corroborated 879 00:37:10,328 --> 00:37:14,231 By something told later to a doctor friend of ferrante. 880 00:37:14,233 --> 00:37:16,499 - Dr. Ferrante told him he said, I don't know, 881 00:37:16,501 --> 00:37:19,102 She came home, I gave her a creatine drink, 882 00:37:19,104 --> 00:37:21,838 She drank it and she passed out on the floor. 883 00:37:21,840 --> 00:37:24,073 - And no one may have been the wiser for it 884 00:37:24,075 --> 00:37:25,541 If it hadn't been for a lab test 885 00:37:25,543 --> 00:37:27,043 That found a sky-high amount 886 00:37:27,045 --> 00:37:29,579 Of cyanide in autumn's blood. 887 00:37:29,581 --> 00:37:31,547 Subsequent tests, the prosecutor added, 888 00:37:31,549 --> 00:37:33,950 Were also positive for the poison. 889 00:37:33,952 --> 00:37:36,619 Associate medical examiner dr. Todd luckasevic 890 00:37:36,621 --> 00:37:38,521 Underscored that for the jury. 891 00:37:38,523 --> 00:37:40,456 - What caused this woman's death was... 892 00:37:40,458 --> 00:37:41,958 - Cyanide poisoning. Period. 893 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:44,460 - No doubt? - No doubt. 894 00:37:44,462 --> 00:37:46,529 - Nor was there any doubt, said the prosecutor, 895 00:37:46,531 --> 00:37:48,498 As to who poisoned autumn. 896 00:37:48,500 --> 00:37:50,533 Police discovered the defendant's laptop 897 00:37:50,535 --> 00:37:52,468 Hidden in an office safe. 898 00:37:52,470 --> 00:37:54,771 And inside it, a wealth of information 899 00:37:54,773 --> 00:37:56,939 That told them bob ferrante had indeed 900 00:37:56,941 --> 00:37:58,775 Been a very busy researcher 901 00:37:58,777 --> 00:38:01,211 In the months before his wife's death. 902 00:38:01,213 --> 00:38:05,982 - Dr. Ferrante was googling searches, um, 903 00:38:05,984 --> 00:38:08,285 Concerning cyanide. 904 00:38:08,287 --> 00:38:09,952 Where to purchase it, how to purchase it, 905 00:38:09,954 --> 00:38:11,287 The effects on people. 906 00:38:11,289 --> 00:38:13,723 - And he didn't stop there. 907 00:38:13,725 --> 00:38:15,591 The prosecutor said bob ferrante 908 00:38:15,593 --> 00:38:18,695 Then made an interesting request to his lab associates, 909 00:38:18,697 --> 00:38:21,331 Something later relayed to detectives. 910 00:38:21,333 --> 00:38:23,633 - He goes to the purchasing person in the laboratory 911 00:38:23,635 --> 00:38:26,302 And he tells this person 912 00:38:26,304 --> 00:38:28,137 That he wants to order a bottle of cyanide. 913 00:38:28,139 --> 00:38:29,739 - Has he ever done that before, detective? 914 00:38:29,741 --> 00:38:31,107 - Never. 915 00:38:31,109 --> 00:38:33,109 - Better yet, the detectives explained, 916 00:38:33,111 --> 00:38:34,577 The doctor asked for the cyanide 917 00:38:34,579 --> 00:38:36,713 To be delivered overnight. 918 00:38:36,715 --> 00:38:39,382 - And when is all this in relation to autumn's 919 00:38:39,384 --> 00:38:42,185 Slumping to the floor in her home? 920 00:38:42,187 --> 00:38:43,519 - Two days prior. - Two days prior? 921 00:38:43,521 --> 00:38:44,587 - Yes. 922 00:38:44,589 --> 00:38:46,856 - Ferrante, he said, had even left his fingerprint 923 00:38:46,858 --> 00:38:49,259 On the container, which interestingly to them 924 00:38:49,261 --> 00:38:52,962 Had 8.3 grams of cyanide missing. 925 00:38:52,964 --> 00:38:56,666 - What, like a heaping teaspoonful, maybe, of cyanide? 926 00:38:56,668 --> 00:38:59,736 - I think about a teaspoonful would be about 8 grams. 927 00:38:59,738 --> 00:39:01,604 - Is that a lethal amount of cyanide? 928 00:39:01,606 --> 00:39:02,605 - Yes. 929 00:39:02,607 --> 00:39:04,874 - Prosecutor lisa pellegrini said the defendant 930 00:39:04,876 --> 00:39:06,576 Thought he was so smart, 931 00:39:06,578 --> 00:39:08,878 Fooling his wife and then everyone else, 932 00:39:08,880 --> 00:39:12,349 By using a poison he assumed was untraceable. 933 00:39:12,351 --> 00:39:16,452 - Standing and looking at the jury, 934 00:39:16,454 --> 00:39:20,957 Points to ferrante, that man right there 935 00:39:20,959 --> 00:39:26,229 Was one blood test away from the perfect murder. 936 00:39:26,231 --> 00:39:28,231 - Murder, responded the defense? 937 00:39:28,233 --> 00:39:29,365 What murder? 938 00:39:29,367 --> 00:39:31,634 Robert ferrante, it said, did not commit a crime 939 00:39:31,636 --> 00:39:34,237 Because there was no crime. 940 00:39:34,239 --> 00:39:36,706 - I said, as forcefully as I could, 941 00:39:36,708 --> 00:39:38,508 We don't believe and we will never believe 942 00:39:38,510 --> 00:39:41,311 That autumn klein died from cyanide. 943 00:39:41,313 --> 00:39:43,045 - The defense was attacking the cornerstone 944 00:39:43,047 --> 00:39:44,714 Of the commonwealth's case. 945 00:39:44,716 --> 00:39:47,316 That blood test with its lethal reading of cyanide 946 00:39:47,318 --> 00:39:49,519 Could never be trusted, it said. 947 00:39:49,521 --> 00:39:51,855 - There's no way that the result is reliable? 948 00:39:51,857 --> 00:39:53,790 - Throw it out? - Yes. 949 00:39:53,792 --> 00:39:55,725 - Because, he said, the lab initially screwed up 950 00:39:55,727 --> 00:39:58,494 With that 3.35 calculation. 951 00:39:58,496 --> 00:40:00,663 It only caught its error months later, 952 00:40:00,665 --> 00:40:03,199 Correcting the level to 2.2, 953 00:40:03,201 --> 00:40:06,669 A still lethal amount of cyanide in autumn's blood. 954 00:40:06,671 --> 00:40:08,404 - It certainly raises its-- 955 00:40:08,406 --> 00:40:10,239 A real issue of its credibility. 956 00:40:10,241 --> 00:40:11,574 - And gives the defense something to work with? 957 00:40:11,576 --> 00:40:15,478 - It absolutely gave the defense a lot to work with. 958 00:40:15,480 --> 00:40:17,881 - Far more reliable, argued ferrante's attorneys, 959 00:40:17,883 --> 00:40:19,615 Was another test 960 00:40:19,617 --> 00:40:21,618 Done in the weeks after autumn's death. 961 00:40:21,620 --> 00:40:23,820 It, too, found cyanide in her blood, 962 00:40:23,822 --> 00:40:26,956 But at very low levels nowhere near lethal. 963 00:40:26,958 --> 00:40:28,758 - And in this case, that alone, 964 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:31,894 As cyril wecht eloquently articulated, uh, 965 00:40:31,896 --> 00:40:33,830 Was more than reasonable doubt 966 00:40:33,832 --> 00:40:35,698 For this jury to acquit my client. 967 00:40:35,700 --> 00:40:39,636 - The reports are highly conflicting. 968 00:40:39,638 --> 00:40:41,237 - Dr. Cyril wecht. 969 00:40:41,239 --> 00:40:43,372 The defense had introduced into the legal mix 970 00:40:43,374 --> 00:40:46,275 A renowned pittsburgh and internationally recognized 971 00:40:46,277 --> 00:40:48,678 Pathologist of many years. 972 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:50,546 Dr. Wecht had weighed in on cases 973 00:40:50,548 --> 00:40:52,548 From the jfk assassination 974 00:40:52,550 --> 00:40:56,052 To the deaths of elvis presley and jonbenet ramsey. 975 00:40:56,054 --> 00:40:57,386 He told the court 976 00:40:57,388 --> 00:41:00,256 The conflicting tests demanded a tiebreaker. 977 00:41:00,258 --> 00:41:03,259 - What you do is, you've got to send it in again 978 00:41:03,261 --> 00:41:05,127 For laboratory testing, 979 00:41:05,129 --> 00:41:09,799 Preferably to a third highly respected toxicology lab. 980 00:41:09,801 --> 00:41:10,967 That was not done. 981 00:41:10,969 --> 00:41:13,636 - More compelling, he said, was evidence of scarring 982 00:41:13,638 --> 00:41:16,072 Around autumn's heart, which could have triggered 983 00:41:16,074 --> 00:41:19,676 An electrical malfunction, stopping the organ cold. 984 00:41:19,678 --> 00:41:22,745 Only on the spot cpr could have saved her. 985 00:41:22,747 --> 00:41:24,847 - And in the absence of somebody 986 00:41:24,849 --> 00:41:26,482 Hitting you in the chest, 987 00:41:26,484 --> 00:41:27,817 Somebody knowing what they're doing 988 00:41:27,819 --> 00:41:31,020 With training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 989 00:41:31,022 --> 00:41:34,624 You probably will die. 990 00:41:34,626 --> 00:41:36,592 - In other words, the defense said 991 00:41:36,594 --> 00:41:40,696 Autumn could have died of natural causes. 992 00:41:40,698 --> 00:41:43,566 They added that crime scene techs processed the house 993 00:41:43,568 --> 00:41:46,869 And never did find so much as a trace of the poison. 994 00:41:46,871 --> 00:41:48,771 And their client's cyanide google searches 995 00:41:48,773 --> 00:41:51,908 Done for research purposes, not murder. 996 00:41:51,910 --> 00:41:54,477 - I mean, here he is in January 997 00:41:54,479 --> 00:41:55,678 Asking questions of google 998 00:41:55,680 --> 00:41:57,647 About the nature of cyanide. 999 00:41:57,649 --> 00:41:58,881 This looks very bad. 1000 00:41:58,883 --> 00:42:01,517 - In April, he's asking about cyanide, 1001 00:42:01,519 --> 00:42:05,722 Potassium cyanide neuroscience research project. 1002 00:42:05,724 --> 00:42:07,523 - The defendant further explained his actions 1003 00:42:07,525 --> 00:42:09,058 From the stand. 1004 00:42:09,060 --> 00:42:11,327 He ordered the poison for work and even took it 1005 00:42:11,329 --> 00:42:13,196 Out of the box when it arrived. 1006 00:42:13,198 --> 00:42:15,998 That's why his fingerprint was on the container. 1007 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:17,700 Besides, his lawyer added, 1008 00:42:17,702 --> 00:42:19,936 A man as smart as bob ferrante 1009 00:42:19,938 --> 00:42:21,704 Would never use a weapon that could so easily 1010 00:42:21,706 --> 00:42:24,240 Be traced back to him. 1011 00:42:24,242 --> 00:42:26,208 - That's like me buying a shotgun, 1012 00:42:26,210 --> 00:42:28,344 Telling everybody hey, I just bought a shotgun, 1013 00:42:28,346 --> 00:42:30,947 And two hours later my wife is deceased from a shotgun shot. 1014 00:42:30,949 --> 00:42:32,014 - Couldn't be that stupid. 1015 00:42:32,016 --> 00:42:33,750 - He would be the dumbest guy in the universe. 1016 00:42:33,752 --> 00:42:35,985 - In closing, the defense begged the jurors 1017 00:42:35,987 --> 00:42:38,087 To use their common sense, 1018 00:42:38,089 --> 00:42:40,957 Which they later said is exactly what they did. 1019 00:42:40,959 --> 00:42:43,359 Their common sense and the science presented 1020 00:42:43,361 --> 00:42:46,495 Told them autumn klein had died of cyanide poisoning 1021 00:42:46,497 --> 00:42:49,365 Because the defendant had given it to her. 1022 00:42:49,367 --> 00:42:52,101 They found him guilty of first-degree murder. 1023 00:42:52,103 --> 00:42:53,869 He is appealing his conviction. 1024 00:42:53,871 --> 00:42:54,937 - Crushing. - Right. 1025 00:42:54,939 --> 00:42:56,038 - Crushing. - Yep. 1026 00:42:56,040 --> 00:42:59,509 - Especially in this case, absolutely crushing. 1027 00:42:59,511 --> 00:43:03,579 - Yep, good description. 1028 00:43:03,581 --> 00:43:07,783 - Robert ferrante was sentenced to life in prison. 1029 00:43:07,785 --> 00:43:09,786 At the time of our interview, 1030 00:43:09,788 --> 00:43:12,655 Autumn's family felt they'd gotten justice. 1031 00:43:12,657 --> 00:43:14,290 Their anger toward her husband 1032 00:43:14,292 --> 00:43:17,393 Had been overshadowed by all the what-ifs. 1033 00:43:17,395 --> 00:43:19,662 - Not only do I grieve autumn 1034 00:43:19,664 --> 00:43:21,998 And the loss that she is to me 1035 00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:24,667 And to us as a family and to our community 1036 00:43:24,669 --> 00:43:28,204 And our friends, but also her patients. 1037 00:43:28,206 --> 00:43:31,073 You know, my heart breaks for her patients. 1038 00:43:31,075 --> 00:43:34,210 - It was all dr. Autumn klein had ever wanted to do. 1039 00:43:34,212 --> 00:43:35,611 Help others. 1040 00:43:35,613 --> 00:43:38,714 Now, that chance is gone. 1041 00:43:38,716 --> 00:43:40,783 Swept away way too soon. 1042 00:43:42,186 --> 00:43:43,419 - And that's all for this edition 1043 00:43:43,421 --> 00:43:45,088 Of "dateline: Secrets uncovered." 1044 00:43:46,024 --> 00:43:48,524 I'm craig melvin, thank you for watching.