Former Nueces County deputy chief medical examiner arrested a second time on new charges

Kailey E. Hunt, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·2 min read
A sign for the Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office, at 2610 Hospital Blvd. in Corpus Christi, is pictured on March 18, 2022.
A sign for the Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office, at 2610 Hospital Blvd. in Corpus Christi, is pictured on March 18, 2022.

A former Nueces County deputy chief medical examiner was arrested a second time Tuesday, according to online Nueces County Sheriff's Office records.

Dr. Sandra Lyden's defense attorney, Stephen Giovannini, also confirmed the arrest to the Caller-Times.

Lyden, 57, is accused of performing autopsies without a valid Texas medical license.

According to the sheriff's office, she was taken into custody on three new charges, including 14 counts of practicing medicine without a license causing financial harm, six counts of tampering with a government record with intent to defraud or harm and one count of misrepresentation regarding entitlement to practice medicine.

Dr. Sandra Lyden, the former Nueces County chief deputy medical examiner, was arrested by Nueces County District Attorney's Office officials on Monday, March 7, 2022.
Dr. Sandra Lyden, the former Nueces County chief deputy medical examiner, was arrested by Nueces County District Attorney's Office officials on Monday, March 7, 2022.

Lyden was arrested March 7 on suspicion of tampering with a government record with intent to defraud or harm. She bailed out two days later, posting a $100,000 bond.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Lyden remained in the Nueces County Jail. Her bond amount totals $550,000, with each individual charge carrying either a $25,000 or $50,000 bond.

Giovannini told the Caller-Times Lyden intends to plead not guilty to all charges.

The arrest is the latest development in a months-long criminal investigation into the Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office.

Lyden's former supervisor and Nueces County's chief medical examiner, Dr. Adel Shaker, was also arrested Tuesday.

Shaker, 62, is accused of allowing Lyden to practice medicine and perform autopsies without a valid Texas medical license.

He is charged with 17 counts of of practicing medicine in violation of a section of the Texas Occupations Code, which governs health professionals, a jail spokesperson said in an emailed statement to the Caller-Times.

Shaker bailed out of jail Wednesday afternoon after posting a total bond amount of $850,000, online records show.

His criminal defense attorney, Terry Shamsie, declined to comment Wednesday.

Staff writer Chase Rogers contributed to this story.

Kailey E. Hunt covers breaking news and public safety in South Texas. Help support more local coverage with a subscription at caller.com/subscribe.

More: Former aide to Nueces County commissioner arrested for burglary, retaliation

More: Corpus Christi police arrest suspect in Monday morning South Port Avenue shooting

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Former Nueces County deputy chief medical examiner arrested again