Cross Dressing Wife Beater/Killer Found Dead in Cell

Dr. Richard Sharpe (a dermatologist) who was found guilty in 2001 of murdering his wife at their home in July of 2000, was found dead in his jail cell in MCI Norfolk Massachusetts this week. He had attempted suicide more than once since incarceration. The initial impression is that this time, he succeeded.

Sharpe was abusive to his wife for some time and was found guilty of  murdering her by shooting her at close range with a hunting rifle in the home in Wrenthem Ma. while  two of their children, then ages 4 and 7 were present in the home.

This tragedy started as domestic violence which escalated and resulted in murder and it appears eventually suicide.

source: wbztv.com

Sharpe had been a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty and ran several business in addition to his medical practice. He also was a self made millionaire through stock market investing.

The premise for the murder used by the prosecution was the prospect that his estranged wife would be entitled to approximately 3 million dollars in a divorce settlement. 

The case was of national interest at the time due to the provocative nature of the photos published showing the doctor's full blown fetish for cross dressing. He had been accused by his wife in affidavits of stealing her birth control pills to spark growth in his own breasts.

Although he was found by his cell mate, hanging from a bed sheet at about 7:30 pm, the cell mate is not under suspicion, according to prison officials. Sharpe's lawyers are saying that there were not signs that Sharpe was currently despondent and that people should wait until after the autopsy for cause of death to be definitive.

source: wbztv.com