Antonin Scalia suffered from coronary artery disease, obesity and diabetes, among other ailments that probably contributed to the justice’s sudden death, according to a letter from the Supreme Court’s doctor.
Presidio County District Attorney Rod Ponton cited the letter Tuesday when he told The Associated Press there was nothing suspicious about the Feb. 13 death of the 79-year-old jurist. He said the long list of health problems made an autopsy unnecessary.
Ponton had a copy of the letter from Rear Adm. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician for members of Congress and the Supreme Court. The letter was to Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara, who conducted a death inquiry by phone and certified Scalia’s death.
The letter dated Feb. 16 said Scalia’s many “significant medical conditions led to his death,” Ponton said.
In the letter, Monahan listed more than a half-dozen ailments, including sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and high blood pressure. Scalia also was a smoker, the letter said.
Ponton declined to provide a copy of the letter, saying an open-records request must be made to Guevara.
The AP filed a records request with the judge last week, but she did not provide the letter or respond to a reporter’s phone message Tuesday. The Texas Department of State Health Services has declined to release a copy of the death certificate.
Scalia was found dead in his bed at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, not far from the Mexico border, where he had gone on a hunting trip.
Dr. Mark Hlatky, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University, said a 79-year-old man with those conditions, especially coronary artery disease and sleep apnea, would be at risk for a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia.
“A lot of people do die in their sleep, and they’re found the next day.”
The conditions are also associated with pulmonary embolism and stroke, which could also “kill somebody very suddenly.”
Scalia’s death, he said, was unexpected, “but it sounds like it wasn’t suspicious.”
The justice’s many ailments, taken together, were “quite dangerous,” said Dr. David Zich, a physician of internal and emergency medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Zich said he would advise a patient with those conditions who was still smoking to stop smoking first and then lose weight.
“Those are the main two things someone in his position can do himself,” Zich said. “The rest falls on the physician to medically manage blood pressure and make sure their blood sugar levels are controlled well.”
Zich said he would also want such a patient to use a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, at night for sleep apnea “to make sure the heart and body aren’t stressed while sleeping.”
A breathing apparatus was found on the night stand next to Scalia’s bed when his body was found, but he was not hooked up to it and it was not turned on when he died, according to a Presidio County Sheriff’s Office incident report obtained late Tuesday by The Washington Post.
Nothing appeared out of place around Scalia’s bed, according to the report. Three pillows were stacked to elevate Scalia’s head. A top pillow appeared to have toppled onto his eyes and forehead but didn’t appear positioned to impede his breathing, the report stated.
His arms were at his side atop the bed covers, which were pulled up to his chin. The bed covers were smooth and creased and showed no sign of a struggle, according to the report.
His suitcase was open and contained neatly folded clothing. On the kitchen counter rested a blue stretch exercise band.
Guevara, who as county judge is the top administrator in the area, previously said she conferred by phone with Sheriff Danny Dominguez and a U.S. marshal before certifying the death. On the day Scalia died, she also conferred with Monahan by phone before determining the cause of death.
Scalia’s death “was handled in a similar fashion as the cases of other elderly people who have died in Presidio County,” Ponton said.
In rural Texas, justices of the peace investigate deaths, among other duties, but the two justices in the region were out of town and unavailable. Guevara was also out of town, more than 60 miles away, but agreed to conduct the death inquiry by phone.
The Supreme Court does not provide regular reports about the justices’ health. It is left to each court member to decide how much to make public about medical conditions.
Some justices, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, have released detailed reports of hospital stays and surgeries. The Supreme Court’s press office could find just one release in 29 years pertaining to Scalia’s health, a report of surgery in 2003 to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Smoke and Mirrors AGAIN! What a BUNCH OF SHIT! Unattended deaths REQUIRE an autopsy,PERIOD! Something STINKS to high heaven about the way this all transpired, but we will NEVER know the truth!
Whenever a famous somebody dies, there is ALWAYS a Looney Tunes conspiracy theorist (and often many of them) — at the ready, willing and able — on your mark, get set, GO!!! — to go completely banana bread nuts ape-feces about it.
That’s not really so! He died alone – maybe. NO sign of struggle? Hah. Any smart criminal would straighten-up things. It depends on the law in Texas. I know of a case elsewhere, when the coroner made a diagnosis based on medicine found in house, & medical records found. This person was on meds that cause dizziness, and looked like he fell and struck his head on pavement (which I and many others supported). Diagnosis over-the-phone! You have to be kidding!!!
You got that right. It is those that can’t grasp the idea of a decent person’s death and to have the proper autopsy to determine their death. Especially when there is too many circumstances that are just out and out wrong.
I have all the health problems Scalia had but i am still alive!
Consider the fact the latest report claims the bed covers were unwrinkled and creased….SO WHO TUCKED HIM IN AFTER THE PILLOW WAS REMOVED FROM HIS FACE?
Who creases their bed covers AFTER they crawl under the covers? I DON”T….DOES ANYONE ELSE?
Why would this report claim the covers were creased? To show no sign of foul play?
GUESS AGAIN! THAT SHOWS FOUL PLAY WITH MANY RED FLAGS!!!
Totally agree. No one who has sleep apnea and COPD n overweight sleeps that way. They toss n turn all night n thriw off the blankets. I know cause it describes my health.
You left out your age ?
Welcome to medicine Texas style, Frank W. Brown.
No, that is death the democrat style. Were they not about to vote on the unions deal where you don’t have to belong to the union to work, but you still have to pay dues????If the vote shot that deal down the unions would lose billions of dollars, This judge would have voted to shoot it down. Sounds very odd to me. Just saying.
Not really, my wife’s grandfather died in his sleep and the corner had some blood drawn and that was it. He was 89 and had no health problems. Death by natural still does happen all over the world and there is no requirement to open the deceased and then have a circus over it. The Justice died, just like we all will. He is at peace, quit this conspiracy junk. Oh BTW, we live in SC.
Quite a difference in 79 and 89, like 10 years. The article keeps referring to “other people”, but we are talking about a Support Court Justice. There should have been an autopsy, regardless of family’s wishes. That just goes without saying.
I agree with an autopsy! I am a physician age 76 and have sleep apnea! If my machine was at the bedside I would have put it on! Why was his not on?? An unwitnessed death should have had the cause of death found by autopsy! Do they not have helicopters in Texas?? 80 or 100 miles is like crossing the street now? I am afraid to think what really happened!!!
As per reports, there were no US Marshals accompanying Scalia on this hunting trip as was standard procedure for security. The most suspicious part of the story as I see it, is the fact that NOT ONE of his hunting buddies went up to his room to check up on his well-being when he did not show up for breakfast in the morning. The evening before he told his group that he was not feeling well and not one of them followed up to check on him in the morning. THEY LEFT THE LODGE WITHOUT HIM or finding out where he was!!! Something very strange about this. These were the actions of a group of friends, not an oversight of one forgetful person. NO ONE in the group thought of investigating his absence in the morning. As per reports, Scalia was not discovered until the afternoon, thus hours passed before anyone knew his status! A window of opportunity for foul play existed for the time he went to bed and the time he was found the next afternoon which was about 17 hours. That’s plenty of time to manipulate a crime scene. In addition, lacking witnesses, a homicide investigation should have been immediately conducted … but wasn’t. Things don’t add up here and there are many more things that don’t seem right about what expired. There is a much more of an investigation when a juvenile steals a pack of gum from a bodega!! Hold your nose..it stinks here!
You are 100% correct!
You’re right!!! Any unaccompanied UNEXPECTED death–especially of a high ranking Gov. official SUCH AS A SCOTUS JURIST SHOULD HAVE BEEN AUTOPSIED!!!!! Today I found out that the ranch he was at that the owner is a Democrat and a Hillary Clinton supporter! Now since Killary is noted for 47 deaths of various people who crossed Killary’s path now one must wonder if his death was on purpose so obozo could appoint another gay radical liberal/Communists justice! THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN AUTOPSY!!!
Many questions left ?? Did they check to see if he used his cpap ?? These machine’s have a micro card / chip that records the use and time / length of use dayly weekly monthly so the doctors can see if he was using it correctly and what changes might be needed !! Also was there any marks around his noise ?? As the mask when worn leaves lines even after it is removed !! Plus it will shut off if not being used for a few minutes !!! These are facts as I use one and have seen all that I stated !!?
Why are the related documents- death certificate, letter about Judge’s health, etc., not immediately released to the public? What is there to hide? Only makes me even more suspicious.
Not good enough in my opinion. An autopsy should have been performed to eliminate any doubt whatsoever.
But then you and/or a bunch of other idiots would develop a whole conspiracy theory about the autopsy being rigged!
Amen !
To a true conspiracy nut, NOTHING official is ever true.
It would be less obvious and less stupid than the conspiracy of Judge Scalia´s “natural” death.
Because of the important job that Judge Scalia held, and the fact that he was the ONLY ONE who would interpret the Constitution in the way it was meant when it was first written, and also that he was the ONLY ONE who was not a liberal on the Supreme Court, I feel there might be the possibility of a cover up going on here. There should definitely be an autopsy done on Judge Scalia. The other thing that needs to be taken into account is that the President was so quick in announcing that he was going to get Scalia’s spot filled during his presidency. I believe that it would only add to his supposed “legacy” of his presidential “reign”, and would be like a poke in the eye of the Republicans in Washington. He has been showing his true colors as that of a tyrant, and doesn’t care to work with Congress in making any decisions. Its his way or the highway.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha… Wow, you really are living under a rock.
Obama announced that AFTER the stupid idiot Republicans derailed an entire debate to talk about how they would block any nomination he would provide, without even knowing if or who he would nominate.
Congress won’t allow anything that Obama tries to pass through it to get anywhere, and it isn’t from his lack of trying to work with these morons.
You talk about morons? Just look in the mirror first. You must either be black or stupid. Sorry for me being frank but that’s the way I am.
What does black have to do with anything? Obama hasn’t done much to help any race, the color of someones skin has nothing to do an idiot in power. I know of one God and He is not Obama!
You are correct , He is trying to do something, like destroying America the land that he hates!
Gee … if only there had been telephones available at the time, the Watergate investigation would have been so unnecessary!
Well again a whole lot about nothing. Just more stupidity. Scalia’s own doctor said he was in good health. I would trust him over anyone our crooked Government uses. Obama is trying to get the public to back off hoping Congress will allow him to appoint a Judge to replace Scalia. The Republins had better stick to not allowing a Justice being appointed until a new President is elected.
Let’s make a trade…..let Obama appoint a justice with the condition that Obama steps down after the appointment and moves back to Kenya in permanent exile….even if he isn’t from Kenya!
Oh but he IS from Kenya–even his wife–Michael–said so–so did he and even he called her Michael once that I heard–she also called him Berry once that I heard–not Barack! His name for quite awhile was Berry Soetoro but the Soetoro was from his mother husband who ADOPTED little Berry whateverhissirnamewas!
He changed his name to Barack Hussein Obama as **he said** it sounded more mid-Eastern–why would he want his name to sound more mid-Eastern?!? So the birth cert. they finally provided is a fraud as his birth name wasn’t Barack–it was Berry–probably his mother’s name of Durham!!! He is the biggest fraud in the history of tis country!!!
Yes, he was born in Kenya, birth certificate was flown to Hawaii by his grandmother and registered there!
At the very least, an autopsy should have been immediately ordered, with the premises sealed until thoroughly investigated for possible intrusion by someone into the room prior to the death of the judge. The nation has lost a hero. Yes, his health was not the best. Yes, he should have eaten less in order to have weighed less. But why would a 79-year old man in poor health go on a hunting trip? Did he really love to hunt and were such trips frequent? We who love liberty wish he had stayed at home!
No….I expect he was kidnapped and held against his will until the murder could be set up to look like natural causes….makes more sense than “official” reports!
Agree with you!
Wonderbear, what in the world is wrong with you?
It doesn’t get any worse. The Dr,:s have been paid off to put the cause down for us all to see. They didn’t even do an autopsy of which all high profile people need to have to stop the corruption. But as we normally get now is just lies and on this situation from an improper source that Scalia was murdered,. Until the proper people look into this all we are getting is more lies and murders.
Are there any “proper people” left in government? Sodom and Gomorrah likely had more!
I agree. When a body is found an autopsy is required. In TX near the Mexican border? Conservative Supreme Ct. Justice found dead in bed? Something smells!!
Sometimes 79 years olds just die because of their age. There is a reason many life insurance companies stop writing policies once a person turns 70–they know the older a person gets the more likely they are going to have to make a payout.
I wish that Justice Scalia would have lived into the term of a conservative president, but people often don’t have control of their day of death.
“often don’t have control of their death”? Only with suicide I suppose….say! Why hasn’t anyone suggested Scalia committed suicide with the pillow over his face?
It seems strange that the death of a chronically ill black person i.e freddy gray deems microscopic autopsy findings, but a conservative supreme court judge warrants NO autopsy.
This is just SO coincidental that it is GLARING! IF this had been (heaven forbid) a liberal judge the media and entire dem party would BE CRAWLING ALL OVER IT.
How sad this man was murdered and swept under the rug. All indicators point to that direction and dereliction of his death.
Not strange. Racist!
You said it!! Thank you!!
How long after the justice died did Obama say he wanted to close Gitmo and bring the Musllms to the USA? Hmmmmmm.
Oh, and, how much time had elapsed before Obama said that he would appoint a new justice to replace Scalia? Hmmmm.
Joy, snakes crawl on/over/under things. That’s what they do.
I think an autopsy should have been demanded by the family. That is the only way to be sure how he died and put the matter to rest. He is a public figure and it would be in everyone’s interest to find out the exact cause of death rather than speculation. The fact that no one has asked for an autopsy speaks volumes as far as I am concerned. It would be the right thing to do.
It is ironic that the only person standing in the way of the administration’s illegal immigration plans and his desire to totally enforce a nationwide gun ban for American citizens just happens to die while on a hunting trip. How amazingly coincidental is that! And with the importance of the individual, why no autopsy immediately, especially when every local official just happens to be out of town.
Total BS!
Yep, and he just so happened to get invited to the ranch, go by himself, with expenses paid, by a person or organization not so high up on his list, without security….for what? C’mon now….we aren’t that stupid or naive…..!
How many people have to die when the Clinton’s are involved, before someone decides they just may be a problem. There should be an investigation that will remove any reason to be concerned.with the death.
Hashem has granted Scalia’s family comfort and shalom during this difficult time. They did not request an autopsy. They were within their right to do so. No government intervention required to request an autopsy. May those of you who have conspiracy theories on your brains be granted comfort and shalom as Scalia’s family.
What a timely death for Obama.
I don’t understand why the family didn’t insist on an autopsy? If that had been my father with so much happening right now during this very volitale political transition America is “Hopefully” about to begin …..with a new sheriff in town- a True America loving Republican president that I pray gets voted in…I think with Obama & the Clintons track record No ones safe!!!!!!!
” – – ailments that probably contributed to the justice’s sudden death. ”
L.O.L. !!!
Still missing is an autopsy by an experienced, elderly corroner, who can publish ones findings without editing by an outsider, and who is not subject to subsequent, punitive action by agents or operatives of the USGov.
When we take “The Secret Team – – ” into consideration, the question arises: Is there such a person ?
Whooops! Not reported in this fine article of masterful reporting was: 1) individual who “opened the door, after first knocking; 2) this individual entered the room, touched one hand of Justice Scalia’s body; 3) this individual reported (by phone) to Justice Scalia’s spouse what this person observed and later widely reported. Who is this mystery Person? Mr. John Poindexter, owner of the Cibolo Ranch and property. It must be remembered, Mr. Poindexter has age old ties to both Clinton and Obama administrations. As recently as last year, Mr. Poindexter was feted with awards and medals for bravery, etc. by Mr. Obama (a well documented event)> Of interest is Mr. Poindexter’s presence in Texas while controversy and baffling matters of State are swirling around both Hillary, Bill and Obama. Just too many “coincidences” for ones mind to collate and assimilate. Pray. Amen. God Bless America and ALL Americans. Read A Bible. NKJV Psalm 128. Yes, definitely a conspiracy by two parties: Clinton’s & Obama’s. Pack SCOTUS anyway possible.
Never never trust anyone but
yourself.
I AGREE WITH MOST OF THE THINGS BEING SAID. I READ A LOT ON THE COMPUTER. I AM ALMOST AFRAID TO PUBLISH ANYTHING ANYMORE BECAUSE I HAD READ OF THE CLINTONS’ DOING? I HAVE READ A LOT OF OBAMA. I STILL BELIEVE IN THE BIRTHING THOUGHTS. I BELIEVE (AFTER READING ABOUT CLOSING GITMO) THAT PRES. OBAMA ALWAYS DOES THINGS FOR A REASON. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IF CONGRESS AGREES THAT ALL THE DEATHS WILL BE ON THEIR HANDS.
(THOUGHT) IF GITMO CLOSES, I BELIEVE RUSSIA WILL TAKE CONTROL OF IT, AND BOOM. HE IS LIKE A CAPTAIN OF A SHIP THAT LOSES HIS MIND, WHAT DO THE OFFICERS DO??? AND ON A LIGHTER NOTE, I READ ONE OF HIS SONS WAS TO GO WITH JUSTICE SCALIA, BUT DIDNT GO. WHY???
CHRISTIAN WARRIOR
Ask yourself this question! Who is the primary benefactor of this great man’s death? In other words: Who stands to gain the most? No autopsy: With our country teetering on the verge of
destruction… he was possibly the single most effective stopgap to Socialist/Communist takeover of our government. His death screams out for investigation of foul play!
I’m sure obama has more pressing things to than to plan a murder obama has tried to work with the Republicans but it is hard to work with a bunch of nut Casas not an Obama fan but fair is fair
I am 79, the same age of Justice Scalia. I am a bit overweight, have COPD and most of the same health conditions. I’m no longer a smoker I quit 25 years ago. Shortness of breath means I take oxygen with me wherever I go. Sleeping isn’t easy. I sleep in my chair with oxygen and am up several times during the night to pee and then try to sleep with several pillows In my bed as breathing is easier when my head is elevated. I do not think I would want to venture (fly) too far from home, my meds, or my assorted forms of oxygen supply. Additionally I don’t think I would be up for tramping through the woods to hunt and run the risk of running out or being away from oxygen or help if I need it…Something just doesn’t seem kosher.
Official cause? Maybe.
Real cause? We’ll probably never know.
Why so long, I still say he was killed vs natural death.
any drug etc can induce “death by natural causes”: recall those spy TV shows from 60s.
It appears from the facts, if they are facts, that his health conditions were extreme.
Smoking cigarettes IS slow motion suicide.
This was an obvious murder and cover-up. No autopsy and quick embalmment. Classic. Too bad it wasn’t one of the Lesbian Socialists.
Honorable Justice SCALIA MET WITH OBAMA AT ANDREWS A.B. PRIOR TO TRIP TO MARFA, TX/ MARSHALS TOLD STAND DOWN/ SECRET SERVICE ASSIGNED/SCALIA FELT SICK(12 FEB) AFTER FRIDAY MEAL/ OWNER POINDEXTER(OBAMA FRIEND) INVITES SCALIA TO RANCH TO HUNT / POINDEXTER FINDS SCALIA UNRESPONSIVE ON SATURDAY (13 FEB)LATE IN MORNING. A DOCTOR DOESNT RESPOND IN TIMELY MANNER TO SCENE TO PRONOUNCE DEATH THEREFORE IT APPEARS NO EXAMINATION OF THE BODY WAS COMPLETED. THE IMPACT SCALIA HAD ON THE COURT/USA/AND BATTLE AGAINST LOOSE LIBERAL IDEALS IS PROFOUND THEREFORE A AUTOPSY SHOULD OF BEEN IN ORDER. CONGRESS SHOULD ACT TO EXHUME BODY AND PROCEED WITH AUTOPSY TO QUELL CONSPIRACY MINDSET AND KNOW THE FACTS THAT CAUSED OUR GREAT JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA’S DEATH. THE FAMILY MUST BE MADE AWARE OF THE NEED/IMPORTANCE/REASONS FOR AN AUTOPSY.
Rest in peace buddy. Only you will ever know how you died . If it was murder I hope you will come back. And haunt them the rest of there lives..it was a little untimely..