14 DAY TRIAL // After much debate and speculation on the case of Joan Rivers's curious death, the clinic where she had her procedure done has issued an official statement claiming that the doctor who performed the operation is no longer with them, having quit his job and also his position as medical director.
The announcement comes after days of speculation that the doctor, Lawrence B. Cohen, a prominent gastroenterologist at the Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic in Manhattan, brought into the operating room a nose, ear and throat specialist to perform an unscheduled biopsy, although the doctor in question was not authorized to practice medicine there.
The doctor brought in an authorized specialist to perform an unscheduled biopsy on Rivers
The insider report came from people within the clinic who chose to remain anonymous for fear of legal repercussions. They confirmed that it was this unauthorized biopsy on Rivers' vocal chords that led to her cardiac arrest after her chords seized, cutting off her air supply. She was taken to the hospital in a hurry, where she remained on life support.
The comedienne died seven days later, on August 4, at age 81, following the relatively simple procedure. Since then, it has emerged that her doctor had given her a clean bill of health prior to the surgery, which made her death that more controversial.
Propofol might also have caused the comedienne's death
Another theory regarding Rivers' death is that the use of the anesthetic Propofol, the same substance that contributed to the death of Michael Jackson, might have led to her demise. Specialists have confirmed that this particular substance offers little room for error between anesthetic and causing respiratory arrest.
The clinic confirms the doctor is no longer with them
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the clinic confirmed in a statement that “Dr. Cohen is not currently performing procedures at Yorkville Endoscopy; nor is he currently serving as medical director,” according to the New York Times.
For the record, there have been no formal accusations made against Dr. Cohen, or the nose, ear and throat specialist who wasn't authorized to practice medicine at the clinic, and who was said to have come into the operating room as part of Joan Rivers entourage.
However, there is a Health Department review going on at the clinic at the moment, which might explain why Dr. Cohen chose to step down from his position.