Family fighting for second autopsy

LYNNFIELD, Mass. -- The family of a Lynnfield woman found hanged in her hotel room in the U.S. Virgin Islands is still fighting for a second autopsy.

Earlier this month, Joan Baruffaldi, 45, was found dead by her husband in their hotel bathroom with a bathrobe belt tied around her neck and the shower curtain rod.

Authorities in the Virgin Islands have ruled Baruffaldi’s death as a suicide. However, her family believes that her husband killed her and are urging the court to allow a second autopsy.

“No way, that’s not my sister. She’s the mother of two children. She wouldn’t do that to my parents,” said Mary Baruffaldi, on her sister’s death being ruled as suicide.

Robert Harris, Baruffaldi’s husband, is fighting the autopsy request.

Mary Baruffaldi said that her entire family had their reservations about Harris, saying, “I just did not like him. Bob and I were never really close. Bob and I never connected.”

In the last eight months Joan had told her sister that her relationship with her husband had shifted and he was always watching her. Mary Baruffaldi said that Joan wanted to get a divorce and she had spoken about changing her will, which essentially leaves Harris about $3 million in assets.

Joan had spoken about changing her will after she filed a restraining order against her husband. She had made the trip to the Virgin Islands in hopes of repairing their relationship.

A judge has appointed a neutral party to be in charge of the estate and that person will decide if a second autopsy is necessary.

(Copyright (c) 2009 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)