Joan Rivers' Doctor Took A 'Selfie' With Unconscious Comedienne Before Performing Unauthorized Throat Biopsy That Lead To Her Death

Joan River's doctor must have taken The Chainsmokers' "#SELFIE" song by heart.

According to CNN, the comedianne's personal doctor took a selfie with the unconscious patient in the operating room before performing the unauthorized endoscopy.  The ear, nose and throat specialist, who has yet to be identified was allegedly allowed to perform a biopsy on her vocal cords which Rivers hadn't previously approved.

The procedure sent the famed funny woman into a death spiral.

Citing "a source close to the death investigation," CNN reports that the doctor was allowed into the operating room at Yorkville Endoscopy, even if he was not affiliated with the clinic in any way.

The source added that he "took a selfie photo in the procedure room while Rivers was under anesthesia." 

It was reported that after Yorkville's medical director Lawrence Cohen finished perfoming the procedure on Rivers, he stepped aside and allowed her personal doctor to biopsy her vocal cords. During that procedure, CNN says, her vocal cords "began to swell," cutting off oxygen to her lungs and leading to her cardiac arrest.

Last Thursday, Yorkville Endoscopy issued a statement denying that any vocal cord biopsy had been carried out at the clinic. The next day, Dr. Cohen resigned in the wake of the celebrity's death.  The Insider Yahoo News confirmed that the medical director was asked by the board to step down from his post.

"Dr. Cohen is not currently performing procedures at Yorkville Endoscopy; nor is he currently serving as medical director," a spokesperson for Yorkville Endoscopy said.

Neither he nor Rivers' doctor has been accused of any wrongdoing by the state Health Department officials investigating Rivers' death.

Despite attempts to revive Rivers once she stopped breathing, she never regained consciousness. The "Fashion Police" host died at Mount Sinai Hospital on Sept. 4 after being removed from life support.

Tags
world news
Joan Rivers
death
selfie
Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Gallery

Real Time Analytics