Tulane doctor murdered in French Quarter home

New Orleans Police are investigating the murder of Dr. Ralph Edward Newsome, a prominent Tulane University plastic surgeon and medical instructor.

Just after 3 a.m. on Saturday, New Orleans Firefighters arrived to find a three-story townhouse on fire, in the 900 block of Toulouse Street. When firefighters went inside, they found Dr. Newsome with multiple stab wounds on his body. Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police are now investigating the case as a murder.

"That's unbelievable because we've never, since we've been living down here, heard anything like that, or known of anyone going inside a house to kill someone. I would think it would be someone who knew the person, rather than just random," said Ellie Idelowitz, a French Quarter resident.

Dr. Newsome was a prominent plastic and reconstructive surgeon, as well as an instructor, at Tulane University's School of Medicine. He moved to New Orleans more than a decade ago and treated patients in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His home and garden occasionally opened to the public, as part of a French Quarter garden tour.

"He was so deeply committed to this city and wanted to spend his entire life making health care here better for all of the citizens of this city and this region," said Dr. Douglas Slakey, Tulane's Chairman of Surgery and a friend of Dr. Newsome's. "I think he really embodied what we love about New Orleans."

Now, friends and loved ones are left to deal with the aftermath of the violent way Dr. Newsome's life ended.

"I think it's a public health crisis that we do something about the violence in the city, and try to prevent these sort of things in the future," Dr. Slakey said.

Tulane University officials said they plans to offer counseling to the staff and students who knew Dr. Newsome. New Orleans Police said investigators are still looking for suspects and a motive in this case. Anyone with information is being urged to call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.