Missing doctor’s wife files in probate court (TN)

The search for a missing Nashville surgeon in DeKalb County has long ended, and now a court document shows his wife holds out little hope for his return.

Dr. William Coltharp, a 55-year-old cardiothoracic surgeon at Saint Thomas Hospital, went missing Oct. 2 while kayaking on Center Hill Lake. He last told his wife he’d be home for dinner, but didn’t show up. His kayak was found the next day about a mile from where he was last seen.

DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray said the search has been called off, but they’re not giving up hope he might be alive.

“The doctor is still listed as a missing person,” Ray said.

‘Believed to have died’ on lake

But according to documents filed in Davidson County’s probate court, Coltharp’s wife isn’t as optimistic.

“He is believed to have died on Center Hill Lake, but his remains have not yet been found,” reads a line in paperwork Nicole Coltharp filed to begin dealing with more than $120,000 associated with her husband’s estate. She’s asking a conservator be appointed on his behalf.

Her attorney in the probate case could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

William Coltharp joined the staff of Saint Thomas Hospital in 1988 and has served as director of the Cardiac Surgery Service Line, president of the medical staff and a member of the hospital’s board of directors.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation had planned to analyze a laptop found with the kayak but declined to discuss any results.

Ray told The Associated Press that a witness saw a man matching the doctor’s description load a cinder block into his kayak before he went out on the lake.

Attribution:

Missing doctor’s wife files in probate court
Brian Haas
The Tennessean
November 23, 2011
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111123/NEWS03/311220080/Missing-doctor-s-wife-files-probate-court