OREM (ABC 4 News) - A Utah County plastic surgeon and his girlfriend -- who police said had a history of domestic conflicts -- died last summer as the result of an accidental drug overdose, authorities said Friday.
Joseph Berg, 47, and Lucy Schwartz, 49, were found dead inside the physician's Orem home last August. Investigators examined all possible causes of death, from murder-suicide to accidental overdose. Ultimately, officials said the evidence can only support one conclusion: the couple died accidentally.
"We can only make the conclusion we did based on what we could prove," said Orem police Sgt. Craig Martinez. "We cannot speculate or share opinions when we don't have the evidence."
Officials said the couple died from an overdose of
Isoflurane -- an inhalant typically used to anesthetize patients during surgery. Authorities said it wasn't immediately clear how Berg obtained the drug. (
What is Isoflurane?)
Berg operated a successful plastic surgery clinic in Orem until late 2011, when officials say he attacked Schwartz and stranded her inside of a closet. According to police, Schwartz managed to get to a bathroom telephone and call 911. Authorities quickly responded, freed the woman, and arrested Berg -- who later pleaded guilty to felony kidnapping, possession of a controlled substance, and illegal possession of a firearm.
