Pa. man waives extradition in cyanide slaying

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A University of Pittsburgh medical researcher will be returned to Pennsylvania to face charges in the cyanide poisoning death of his neurologist wife.

Sixty-four-year-old Dr. Robert Ferrante waived extradition today in a brief hearing in West Virginia, where he was taken into custody Thursday night.

Defense attorney William Difenderfer said he understands that detectives are to escort his client to Allegheny County on Tuesday.

A preliminary arraignment is scheduled Tuesday afternoon on charges in the death of 41-year-old UPMC neurologist Autumn Marie Klein.

Klein, chief of women’s neurology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, died April 20 after suddenly falling ill.

Blood tests revealed a lethal level of cyanide. Police allege Ferrante bought cyanide days earlier.

Difenderfer says Ferrante was returning to turn himself in when he was arrested.