Autopsy scheduled in Tomei death

NEW CASTLE, Pa — After almost two years’ struggle, two brothers’ wish for an investigation into the cause of their father’s death may finally come true.

The body of Jason and Joe Tomei’s father, Joseph A. Tomei Jr., is scheduled to undergo autopsy with Pittsburgh-based forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht on Friday.

The brothers have been requesting an autopsy since their father was discovered dead June 13, 2006, in his Shenango Township home. The cause of death was listed as coronary disease, but the Tomei brothers aren’t so sure.

Joseph Tomei’s widow, Edith Tomei, initially refused to issue her consent for the autopsy. After a court order in August, Mrs. Tomei agreed to have the body exhumed for the procedure.

The Tomei brothers claim that days before their father’s death, he complained that food prepared for him tasted strange.

Edith Tomei had been estranged from her husband for about one year before his death. The home and most of its contents were left to Joseph Tomei’s sons in his will. However, about $250,000 in life insurance and retirement accounts are still being disputed.

The Tomei brothers will assume about $10,000 in expenses related to the autopsy, according to Vindicator records.