Originally published May 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 16, 2008 at 3:44 AM
Jailed museum director's death linked to infection
An Asian-antiquities dealer arrested in Seattle on wire-fraud charges died in federal custody from infection and inflammation caused by...
Seattle Times staff reporter
An Asian-antiquities dealer arrested in Seattle on wire-fraud charges died in federal custody from infection and inflammation caused by a perforated gastric ulcer, according to the King County Medical Examiner's Office.
The autopsy determined Roxanna Brown's death early Wednesday at the federal Detention Center in SeaTac was natural, the medical examiner's office said.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons is investigating the death of Brown, 62, the director of the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum at Bangkok University in Thailand. Officials at the detention center refused to release any details about her death or medical treatment she received while in custody.
Brown had been arrested a week ago by federal agents on an grand-jury indictment in Los Angeles. She was charged with wire fraud and was a key figure — and the first arrest — in a long-running investigation into alleged Asian-antiquities smuggling and fraud, according to court papers.
Brown was in Seattle to speak at an Asian-art symposium at the University of Washington.
Maggie Ogden, an attorney and spokeswoman for the FDC, would say only that Brown was screened by medical personnel when she was booked into the facility following her arrest Friday.
The U.S. attorney's office said Brown was also seen by center medical staff Monday after her initial appearance in court was postponed because she was suffering from flulike symptoms and was vomiting. She made a brief court appearance Tuesday.
Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of peritonitis, an infection and inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, according to the National Institutes of Health online medical dictionary.
Brown died in the FDC about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. Ogden said the detention center does not have any medical staff on duty overnight. She would not say whether Brown was treated or whether outside help was called.
Brown, who lived in Bangkok, was indicted on a single count of wire fraud for allegedly allowing her electronic signature to be used on appraisal forms of items donated to museums.
Those appraisals, according to court documents, were inflated so that the donors could claim fraudulent tax deductions.
Mike Carter: 206-464-3706 or mcarter@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
Greenwood merchants nervous after 3 more arsons
UW to honor war heroes with Medal of Honor memorial
NEW - 08:52 AM
County foot-ferry routes cut; money may go to buses
UPDATE - 09:11 AM
Reward in Greenwood arsons raised to $25,000

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
261 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
258 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
195 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
144 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
141 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
123 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
119 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
88 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
78 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
70
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- Book review | Ayn Rand: goddess of the market, gateway to the American right





