Heart surgeon dead of apparent suicide

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 27, 2004

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Dr. Jonathan Drummond-Webb, a heart surgeon whose work was the focus of a four-part television series and who successfully implanted a life-saving miniature heart pump in a child, was found dead Sunday of a suicide. He was 45.

Drummond-Webb took an overdose of medication and left a note for his wife, who discovered the body, according to Arkansas Children's Hospital. The hospital said friends believe the surgeon suffered a sudden bout of depression.

Dr. Jonathan Bates, chief executive officer of Arkansas Children's Hospital, said Drummond-Webb worked tirelessly to save his patients.

"Some would say they saved 98 out of 100," Bates said Sunday. "He looked at it and said I lost two out of 100."