Security measures taken following firing of former Calgary pathologist

CALGARY – Strange and disturbing details are emerging about a former Calgary pathologist.

Over two years, Dr. Michael Belenky performed hundreds of autopsies at the Calgary Medical Examiner’s Office.

But in January, Alberta Justice discovered inaccuracies in one of Belenky’s autopsies, casting doubt on the quality of his work.

According to a Global News source, Doctor Michael Belenky did not resign from the Calgary Medical Examiner’s Office – he was fired.

The source says the termination was over general concerns about Belenky’s work.

His dismissal happened just before inaccuracies were discovered in one of his autopsies. That triggered a review of 13 of Belenky’s criminal cases.

Alberta Justice will not comment on his dismissal.

Calgary’s other pathologists have re-done the autopsies which defence lawyers or Alberta Justice felt could also be inaccurate.

The review of his cases wrapped up in early April.

“In the closed cases, there were three of those, there were no change in the outcomes in those cases,” says David Dear, Alberta Justice.

None the less, Belenky’s past is punctuated with question marks.

Nebraska Police questioned him in connection with the 2008 double stabbing deaths of his former boss’s young son and housekeeper in Omaha.

Investigators never named Belenky as a suspect.

However, it has also come to light that police and Alberta Justice worried for the safety of Belenky’s coworkers after he was fired.

Security experts assessed and improved the home security systems of forensic pathologists Dr. Sam Andrews and Dr. Evan Matshes, who worked with Belenky.

A photo of Belenky was also posted at the workplace of Dr. Matshes’ wife and police officers did drive-bys down the doctor’s streets.

Calgary Police will not comment on any security measures for the pathologists. They say they are not currently investigating Belenky, nor are there charges or warrants against him at this time.

They do know where he is for the purpose of testifying about his autopsies.

Alberta Justice says that will not be necessary.

“He’s no longer an employee of ours and if we conducted a review because there were concerns about his results, it’s unclear to me why we would ask him back,” says Dear.

Alberta Justice says it has had no communication with Belenky since the end of his employment in January.

Global News tried to contact Dr. Belenky for comment but he could not be reached.