World
US doctor dies while stuck in chimney
- From: AP
- September 01, 2010
- Was trying to confront lover
- Man locked doors then left house
- Cause of death not known
A DOCTOR involved in an "on-again, off-again" relationship apparently tried to force her way into her boyfriend's home by sliding down the chimney, police said on Tuesday. Her decomposing body was found there three days later.
Dr Jacquelyn Kotarac, 49, first tried to get into the house with a shovel, then climbed a ladder to the roof last Wednesday night, removed the chimney cap and slid feet first down the flue, Bakersfield police Sgt Mary DeGeare said.
While she was trying to break in, the man she was pursuing escaped unnoticed from another exit "to avoid a confrontation", authorities said.
Sgt DeGeare said the two were in an "on-again, off-again" relationship.
Her boyfriend who resides in the home is William Moodie, 58.
"She made an unbelievable error in judgment and nobody understands why, and unfortunately she's passed away," Mr Moodie said.
"She had her issues, she had her demons, but I never lost my respect for her."
Reached by telephone, Mr Moodie did not dispute the police's characterisation of his relationship with Kotarac. He would not comment on the circumstances that led to her death, saying it was more important to focus on the good she did in life.
Mr Moodie, who runs an engineering consulting firm, said Kotarac was a superb internist who often provided service and medication free of charge to her patients.
Dr Kotarac apparently died in the chimney, but her body was not discovered until a house-sitter noticed a stench and fluids coming from the fireplace on Saturday, according to a police statement.
The house-sitter and her son investigated with a flashlight and found Kotarac dead, wedged about 0.61 metres above the top of the interior fireplace opening.
Firefighters spent five hours late on Saturday dismantling the chimney and flue from outside the home to extract Kotarac's body, Sgt DeGeare said.
Officials said Kotarac's office staff reported her missing two days prior when she failed to show for work. Her car and belongings remained near the man's house.
A cause of death has not been determined, and an autopsy was being undertaken. Foul play is not suspected, though investigators have been looking into the incident as suspicious.
Have your say
- Skip to:
- Read comments
- Add comments
Add your comment on this story
Spy's body padlocked shut in sports bag
THE decomposing body of British code-breaker was found locked inside a bag in the bath of his London flat, inquest told.
Comments on this story