Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office: Former brain surgeon died by suicide in jail

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said James Kohut, a former brain surgeon found dead in the Santa Cruz County Jail, died by suicide.

The Sheriff’s Office said an autopsy showed he died by cutting his femoral artery. They also said he left a note that referenced his intent to take his own life.

He was found dead Sunday morning when correctional officers started breakfast service. He did not share a cell with any other inmates.

Kohut was first arrested in May 2017 and was considered at-risk of self-harm. He tried to take his own life in July 2017, but survived. He had recently been moved back to a protective housing unit.

Kohut was a brain surgeon for Dominican Hospital and was arraigned on multiple child sex charges including sodomy, oral copulation and forcible lewd acts upon five children 14 and under.

Kohut, along with Watsonville nurses Emily Stevens and Rashell Brandon, is accused of sexually assaulting children as young as 3-years-old.

Kohut, Brandon and Stephens were all facing over 40 felony charges each.