Doctor Thomas Shaknovsky has been indicted on second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of 70-year-old Bill Bryan in August 2024, according to the Florida State Attorney's Office.

Thomas was arrested in Florida on the morning of 13/4 following a two-year investigation conducted by law enforcement and medical authorities. He is currently held at Walton County Jail on a 75,000 USD bond. If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

According to the court's order suspending Thomas's medical license, the orthopedic surgeon recommended surgery after Bryan was admitted to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast in Florida with abdominal pain on 18/8/2024. Scans showed "suspected enlarged spleen and blood in the peritoneum but no hemorrhage."

Over the next two days, Thomas urged immediate surgery, even though Bill wanted to return home to Alabama. On the third day, Thomas "continued to pressure" the patient, who finally agreed.

Thomas Shaknovsky was arrested on 13/4 after an investigation into the death of Bill Bryan (right). *Photo: WEAR*

Prosecutors allege that on 21/8/2024, during a laparoscopic splenectomy, Thomas accidentally removed the patient's liver instead of the spleen. This error occurred despite the two internal organs having distinct sizes, colors, and locations, leading to "severe blood loss and the patient's death on the operating table."

Thomas later admitted removing an organ he believed was the spleen, though he could not identify it precisely due to shock from the chaotic situation in the operating room at the time. He also claimed the patient's spleen was abnormally enlarged and the liver was in an unusual position, contributing to the misidentification.

Records indicate that Thomas continued the surgery even after the patient suffered cardiac arrest. Following the operation, the doctor stated the patient died from a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm.

However, the autopsy "found no evidence of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm." Records allege that the "patient's spleen and connective tissues remained intact and in their normal position, but the liver was missing."

The Walton County Grand Jury stated that Doctor Thomas's actions in the operating room "constitute criminal conduct under Florida law."

Location of the liver and spleen in the body. *Graphic: NBC*

Records also accuse Thomas of two other medical errors that led to another patient's death. Specifically, during a surgery in May 2023, Thomas allegedly removed part of the patient's pancreas instead of the planned left adrenal gland. When questioned about this error, Thomas claimed the adrenal gland had "moved" to another part of the body.

In a surgery in July 2023, the doctor removed part of a patient's intestine, causing a gastrointestinal perforation. The patient was transferred to the ICU shortly after but died.

According to public records from the Florida Department of Health, in 2024, Thomas settled a medical malpractice lawsuit related to the May 2023 incident for 400,000 USD.

Despite these allegations, Thomas was never asked to resign, nor had any privileges as a medical professional restricted or revoked in the past 10 years.

By Tue Anh (based on NBC, CBS, Fox News reports)