by John H Snowden, III
Publisher
On Monday, June 30, 2025, the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections reported that Paul Pellini died in custody at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC) stated that Pellini, 54, died on Saturday, June 28, 2025, of an apparent suicide.
According to the NC DAC, Pellini was found unresponsive outside his cell around 3:35 p.m. Staff initiated life-saving procedures, and EMS was called, but he was pronounced dead at 3:51 p.m. As is standard procedure for deaths in custody, State Capital Police and the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the incident. The NC DAC is also conducting its own internal investigation.
At the time of his death, Paul Pellini was being held at Central Prison as a “safekeeper” on behalf of Currituck County since April 2, pending a court date for the multiple charges of rape and sexual exploitation of a minor.
The case of Paul Pellini, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) from Grandy, North Carolina, involves serious allegations of sexual assault against patients while they were under his care. The case has garnered significant attention due to the nature of the alleged crimes, the vulnerability of the victims, and Pellini’s professional position.
Initial Allegations and Arrest:
The investigation into Paul Pellini began in February 2025 when the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) regarding a sexual assault. Following interviews and the execution of search warrants, evidence was collected that led to Pellini’s identification as a suspect.
On February 27, 2025, Paul Pellini, 54, was arrested and initially charged with one count of felony second-degree forcible rape. Court documents indicated that the alleged victim was “mentally incapacitated and was physically helpless” at the time of the assault. Pellini was held in the Currituck County Jail on a $2 million bond.
Expanded Charges and Indictments:
As the investigation progressed, the scope of the allegations against Pellini expanded significantly. By early April 2025, he faced additional charges. Currituck County jurors indicted Pellini on multiple counts, including:
- Additional charges of second-degree forcible rape: Reports indicated that Pellini faced three additional counts of this charge, bringing the total to four.
- Sexual penetration under the pretext of medical treatment: This charge suggests that Pellini allegedly used his professional role and the medical setting to facilitate the assaults.
- First-degree sexual exploitation of a minor: One of the alleged victims was reportedly 16 years old at the time of the alleged assault, leading to this severe charge.
Indictment documents claimed there were at least three different instances involving three different victims, with crimes allegedly occurring on August 18 and November 8-9 of the previous year (2024), and February 11, 2025. The indictments explicitly stated that Pellini “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did carnally know and abuse [the victim], who at the time was mentally incapacitated and was physically helpless.”
Reports also indicated that there was actual evidence, including video and pictures, showing a tattoo that helped confirm the identity of an alleged victim. Questions were also raised about whether others in Pellini’s office may have had knowledge of his alleged actions and whether his position should have been more closely supervised, as medical protocol generally dictates that an anesthetist should not be alone in a room with a patient without supervision.
Recent Developments (June 2025):
In a significant and tragic development, it was reported on Monday, June 30, 2025, that Paul Pellini died in custody at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC) stated that Pellini, 54, died on Saturday, June 28, 2025, of an apparent suicide.
According to the NC DAC, Pellini was found unresponsive outside his cell around 3:35 p.m. Staff initiated life-saving procedures, and EMS was called, but he was pronounced dead at 3:51 p.m. As is standard procedure for deaths in custody, State Capital Police and the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the incident. The NC DAC is also conducting its own internal investigation.
At the time of his death, Paul Pellini was being held at Central Prison as a “safekeeper” on behalf of Currituck County since April 2, pending a court date for the multiple charges of rape and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Implications:
The death of Paul Pellini in custody brings an abrupt end to the criminal proceedings against him. While the victims and their families will not see a trial or verdict, the investigation by law enforcement agencies remains on file. The case underscored the severe vulnerability of patients under anesthesia and raised questions about oversight and accountability within the medical profession. The legal teams for the alleged victims may still pursue civil litigation against Pellini’s estate or other parties deemed responsible for failing to prevent the alleged abuse.
