Ex-Harvard Med School Professor turned Cross-Dressing Murderer Hangs Himself in Jail Cell > arrested professor, crime, Harvard

Ex-Harvard Med School Professor turned Cross-Dressing Murderer Hangs Himself in Jail Cell

by Adam Clark Estes | January 7, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Professor Sharpe Wife-killer and cross-dresser Richard Sharpe made one final round of headlines this morning after hanging himself in his Norfolk, Mass. jail cell. The former Harvard Medical School professor and millionaire was nearly eight years into his life sentence for killing his wife Karen in 2000. To be more specific, Sharpe shot the mother of his three children in the chest with a hunting rifle in the foyer of their home while her family watched.

But wait—there's more. Not only did Sharpe enjoy the occasional stroll in fishnets and heels, he also stole his wife's birth control pills in an attempt to grow bigger breasts. The cross-dressing seems innocent compared to the brutal murder, but Sharpe lost all sense of humanity after allegedly plotting to kill the district attorney who convicted him in 2001. (The nutty professor was acquitted of these charges in 2007 after a jury decided that Sharpe's rapist cellmate wasn't the most trustworthy witness.)

The case is old news now having run the true-crime gamut from a Court TV special to a pulpy paperback entitled Twisted. Each detail—from Sharpe's abusive father to Harvard's knack for psychopaths—reveals the story to be both frightening and tragic. It's only a matter of time until Lifetime options the book for their library of can't-stop-watching movies.

6 Comments | | Print This Post
Tags Read more: arrested professor, crime, Harvard

6 Responses to “Ex-Harvard Med School Professor turned Cross-Dressing Murderer Hangs Himself in Jail Cell”

Columbia 07 Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Yes, that’s the most appropriate picture for someone who just committed suicide.

Then again, I guess Estes can find humor in anything.
echomikeromeo Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Um, so cross-dressing is *only* “innocent” when “compared to the brutal murder,” and part of a generally lost sense of humanity? I think a lot of transgender people would be surprised and offended to hear that.
@ poster above me Says:
January 9th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Get over it – humor is supposed to be offensive.
Lena Says:
January 9th, 2009 at 10:47 am
“Wife-killer and cross-dresser”? How is the latter at all relevant to the crime he committed?
Sally Says:
January 18th, 2009 at 2:37 am
Crossdressers span the range of characteristics that is common to the entire population so it is normal that once in a while one turns out to be a murderer. Crossdressers on the other hand tend to have a higher than average IQ. Not sure why the crossdressing was mentioned other than sensationalism.
James Joyce Says:
July 21st, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Well researched site – I love Bernard Cornwell’s work! – Will look to incorporate some of your ideas into my site. Thanks!