Dr. Richard Sharpe, the cross-dressing doctor convicted of murdering his wife in 2001, was found hanged in his cell at at the state prison in Norfolk, state prison officials confirmed today.
Sharpe, 54, was found hanging with a bed sheet around his neck at 7:26 p.m. Monday by his cell mate, Diane Wiffin, a spokesman for the state Department of Correction said. Sharpe was pronounced dead at Norwood Hospital at 8:11 p.m.
He was convicted in 2001 of shooting his estranged wife Karen, 44, to death with a hunting rifle at her home in Wrentham. During his trial, the wealthy dermatologist’s secret life was revealed, including stories of how he had taken his wife’s birth control pills to grow breasts, had worn his daughter’s underwear and had most of his body hair removed.
Defense attorneys argued Sharpe was temporarily insane and was mentally ill because of abuse he suffered as a child.
He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Two years ago, a Norfolk County jury cleared Sharpe of trying to hire someone to kill the prosecutor in his murder case.
The Patriot Ledger
