PETALUMA, Calif., July 10 -- A disgruntled patient suspected of killing a Petaluma plastic surgeon and critically wounding his office manager has regained consciousness from a diabetic coma. Officials said Theresa Mary Ramirez, a former Santa Rosa Kaiser Permanente nurse, has not been arrested because of her medical condition, but her health is improving.
Officials said Ramirez was linked to the July 3 incident after they found two handguns in a San Francisco hotel room where employees found her in a diabetic seizure in her room. Police say a bullet found by investigators in Michael Tavis' office matches a bullet fired from a handgun Ramirez was carrying with her. Police say the 53-year-old surgeon was shot several times early Thursday morning shortly before his office was scheduled to open. His office manager, 59-year-old Kay Carter, was shot once in the head and was in serious but stable condition. In 1992, Ramirez unsuccessfully sued Tavis in Somoma County Superior Court, accusing him of malpractice in connection with post-mastectomy reconstructive surgeries on her breasts. The suit said Tavis failed to disclose the risks of silicon gel breast implants, which leaked and required her to undergo several subsequent surgeries. Ramirez also had a suit in federal court against Dow Corning, maker of the silicon breast implant. ---
Copyright 1997 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ---
