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Homicide Detectives Investigating UPMC Doctor's Death From Cyanide Poisoning

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh homicide detectives are investigating the death of a local renowned doctor and it appears she was poisoned.

Dr. Autumn Marie Klein collapsed at her home in Oakland and died Saturday at UPMC Presbyterian, her death was first reported as a possible heart attack.

Now the medical examiner says the 41-year-old died of cyanide poisoning, but haven't determined her manner of death.

Sources tell the KDKA Investigator Marty Griffin that her husband, Dr. Robert Ferrante called 911 and reported that his wife had a heart attack on April 20th.

Sources say "extremely high levels of cyanide" were found in Dr. Klein's blood. The type of levels that would have "knocked her to the floor" in 30 seconds.

Police sources also say they do not believe Dr. Klein committed suicide, she was the mother of a six-year-old and reportedly trying to have another child.

There has been no comment from the Pittsburgh Police department on their investigation.

UPMC officials say Dr. Klein was an amazing physician, but offered no comment on the criminal investigation.

Wednesday night, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said it has pended the cause and manner of death for Klein.

Dr. Klein was chief of the division of women's neurology and assistant professor of neurology and obstetrics and gynecology at UPMC's Presbyterian and Magee-Womens hospitals.

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