Silent Witness: The Untold Story of Terri Schiavo's Death

By Mark Fuhrman

Book Overview

We all watched Terri Schiavo die. The controversy around her case dominated the headlines and talk shows, going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the White House, and the Vatican. And it's not over yet. Despite her death, the controversy lingers. In Silent Witness , former LAPD detective and New York Times bestselling author Mark Fuhrman applies his highly respected investigative skills to examine the medical evidence, legal case files, and police records. With the complete cooperation of Terri Schiavo's parents and siblings, as well as their medical and legal advisers, he conducts exclusive interviews with forensics experts and crucial witnesses, including friends, family members, and caregivers. Fuhrman's findings will answer these questions: What was Terri and Michael Schiavo's marriage really like? What happened the day Terri collapsed? What did Michael Schiavo do when he discovered Terri unconscious? How long did he wait before calling 911? What do medical records show about her condition when she was first admitted to the hospital? What will the autopsy say? The legal issues and ethical questions provoked by Terri Schiavo's extraordinary case may never be resolved. But the facts about her marriage, her condition when she collapsed, and her eventual death fifteen years later can be determined. With Silent Witness , Fuhrman goes beyond the legal aspects of the case and delves into the broader, human background of Terri Schiavo's short, sad life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060853379
• ISBN13: 9780060853372
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Compelling & Objective

Not up to par with some of his other work, but a thought-provoking read. I did not follow the case at the time of the events in question and honestly opened this book with the idea that it was all a witch hunt. I'm glad I read it, it really made me think, and question not only Terri's plight, but "the way things are", today in America.

A Very Good Book

Mark Fuhrman's book is very good. He does a very good investigation into Terri's collapse; an investigation that should have done on the night of her collapse and later when the Schindler's filed numerous police investigation inquires. While the book came out before the autopsy results of Terri Schiavo, the book still provides some distrubing questions. The autopsy did little to give clout on Fuhrman's conclusions and suspicions. Regarding, Terri Schiavo autopsy: In reading Furhman's book please bare in mind that autopsy results come with several caveats that bear noticing: 1. Terri's collapse remains a mystery to this day. Terri did not have a heart attack. 2. Michael Schiavo was the only one there. 3. It is highly unlikely that Terri had Bulima. 4. The issue of the potassium inbalance is also highly suspect. 5. Michael Schiavo is on the record of giving at least 3 different conflicting accounts of Terri's collapse. The following things remain in conflict to this day: Did Michael have argument the day before she collapsed? - Conflicted. What time Michael came home that night is conflicted. Was Terri awake when Michael arrived home? Conflicted. What made Michael wake up and why did he wake up? Conflicted. What position did Michael find Terri in? Conflicted. Who did Michael call? Conflicted. Did Michael hold Terri? Conflicted. Was Terri breathing? Conflicted. All of these things are conflicted from the various depos, testimonies, and accounts given by Michael Schiavo. There are also still unanswered quesitons: What was significance of the vomit found near Terri. (It was later determined to be from the cats; Who determined that?) 6. Experts have stated that it possible for Terri to been inflicted trauma without leaving any detectable evidence. And if such evidence did in fact exist, it is possible the EMTs life saving measures done to Terri could have compromised that evidence. 7. Perhaps that most important caveat of the autopsy is the ME's final statment: That most of medical records regarding Terri Schiavo are missing and have been lost. For this reason, the case remains open to this day waiting additional medical information that could shed some light on Terri's collapse. The issue of missing medical records was key question of concern during the litigation of Terri's Law that was never really answered.

Compelling, Factual, and Organized

Fuhrman in this book presents the facts, the case and conclusions in a fair and rational manner. In my opinion he gives all parties the benefit of the doubt and remains neutral except when he states: he is giving "his" personal feelings. I bought the book because I wanted to know the facts. I felt the book was well written, interesting and certainly holds the reader's interest. Moreover, Fuhrman presents some questions at the end of the book that all responsilbe invididuals should ponder. Furhman is an excellant writer and if I die I can only hope that sny investigation be done in the manner that Fuhrman would perform such. Read the book you'll appreciate the rational discussion Furhman presents.

I have been converted!

I originally was of the opinion that Michael Schiavo was correct and only honoring his wife's wishes. I still do not believe a new law needs to be written. That being said, after reading Mr. Fuhrman's book and reading allot of other material, I am convinced there is a strong possibility that Michael Schiavo has committed a crime. There is at least enough circumstantial evidence to raise questions and there should have been a thorough investigation and Michael Schiavo should have been compelled to answer questions. Mark Fuhrman does a first rate investigation and he should be applauded. Great book.

Mark Fuhrman Knows What He Writes!...

I always go in with a open mind, I too followed the story of Terri Schiavo and was leaning alot towards Michael Schiavo but after reading the book and putting 1+1=2 together I have my own personal views on the way she died. Mark Furhman gave a clear written view of the book explaining each and every point from the start of the book to the end. I thank him for writing the book at a laymen's level for all to read. I do give this book five stars and look forward to a follow up when they give a full report of her autopsy. Mark Fuhrman was an experienced detective long before he became a writer. Many authors have little or no law enforcement training. Mark Fuhrman is an author who tells it like it is, and has brought the life of Terri Schiavo for all to see and understand what Terri and her family have gone through. I will continue to read any book written by Mark Fuhrman.