Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky has been charged with manslaughter over the August 2024 death of William Bryan
Credit: Walton County Sheriff’s Office; Courtesy Zarzaur Law
NEED TO KNOW
- Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after allegedly removing a patient’s liver instead of his spleen
- The patient, 70-year-old William Bryan, died on the operating table in August 2024 after seeking care for severe abdominal pain
- The Walton County Sheriff’s Office in Fla. said the victim suffered “catastrophic blood loss”
A Florida doctor has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after being accused of removing the wrong organ from a patient.
In 2024, Beverly Bryan claimed her husband William Bryan’s death was caused by Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky after he allegedly removed the 70-year-old’s liver instead of his spleen, PEOPLE previously reported.
On Monday, April 13, the Walton County Sheriff's Office announced that a Walton County Grand Jury has returned an indictment charging Shaknovsky for William's August 2024 death.
Credit: Courtesy Zarzaur Law
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This charge after an investigation was carried out by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the State Attorney First Judicial Circuit, as well as additional state and medical authorities.
“On August 21, 2024, during what was scheduled to be a laparoscopic splenectomy, Dr. Shaknovsky removed the victim’s liver instead of his spleen, resulting in catastrophic blood loss and the patient’s death on the operating table,” the release read. "The Grand Jury found probable cause to charge that the actions taken in the operating room constituted criminal conduct under Florida law."
PEOPLE previously reported that Beverly and her husband had been visiting Okaloosa County, Florida, from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, when he sought medical care on Aug. 18, 2024, for “severe abdominal pain,” per the Operative Documentation previously shared with PEOPLE by Beverly’s attorney, Zarzaur Law.
“Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor,” Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said in a statement. “The Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and their unspeakable loss.”
He added, “We are committed to seeing this case through with the professionalism and integrity our community expects.”
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital previously told PEOPLE in a statement, "We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event."
Credit: Walton County Sheriff’s Office
They added, "Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has a longstanding history of providing safe, quality care since the hospital opened its doors in 2003. Patient safety is and remains our number one priority. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family. We hold the privacy of our patients in the highest regard. We do not comment on specific patient cases or active litigation."
On Monday, Shaknovsky was taken into custody in Miramar Beach before being taken to the Walton County Jail.
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