Pitt scientist arrested on charge he poisoned wife

PITTSBURGH » Authorities say a University of Pittsburgh researcher has been arrested in Florida on charges that he fatally poisoned his wife, a neurologist at the university’s medical school.

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania announced the arrest today of 64-year-old Dr. Robert Ferrante. He is considered a leading researcher on Lou Gehrig’s disease. Authorities wouldn’t say why he was in Florida.

Ferrante’s wife, Dr. Autumn Klein, died April 20 after suddenly falling ill at home three days earlier.

Ferrante reported that his wife suffered a sudden, unknown medical emergency. The county medical examiner later found a lethal level of cyanide in her system.

An attorney for Ferrante did not immediately respond to requests for comment.