Copyright 1994 Caledonian Newspapers Ltd.
The Herald (Glasgow)
New York, Tuesday,
DOCTORS have transplanted the liver from newspaper heiress Anne Scripps Douglas,
who died last week after a New Year's Eve beating, to her dying first husband.
Family lawyer John Kelly told a news conference the transplant was performed on
Douglas's first husband, Wall Street broker Anthony Morell, on the day of her
death. Early signs suggested it had been successful, Kelly added.
Police and FBI agents were continuing their search for Douglas's second husband,
Scott Douglas, 38, who they believe beat her and faked his own suicide before
fleeing.
Mrs Douglas was found bludgeoned in her suburban New York mansion and died a
week later without regaining consciousness. Scott Douglas's idling BMW was found
on a nearby bridge over the Hudson River hours after the attack.
Kelly said the decision to do the transplant was made by the couple's two adult
daughters, Alexandra and Anne.
"The daughters acted on what they knew would be their mother's wishes," said
Kelly.
"Anne Douglas left this world the way she lived in it -- loving, giving."
He said Morell, 49, had been given "six weeks to six months" to live but now
appeared to be recovering.
Kelly said the family expected Scott Douglas to be found alive.
Mrs Douglas, 47, was one of 200 heirs to the Scripps newspaper fortune,
estimated at $ 900m.
She married house painter Scott Douglas five years ago. Their three-year-old
daughter was asleep nearby when her mother was attacked.
Kelly said Mrs Douglas had failed to win a court order barring her husband from
her home days before she was attacked.--Reuter.
