A cross-dressing former Harvard Medical School affiliate serving a life sentence for murdering his wife committed suicide in prison on Monday.

Richard J. Sharpe was found hanging from a bedsheet in his cell in MCI-Norfolk prison, according to Diane Wiffin, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Department of Correction. He had been sentenced to life in prison in 2001 for shooting his wife—and high school sweetheart—Karen Sharpe in 2000 in the foyer of her home while their two young children slept in an adjoining room, according to media reports.

Sharpe and his wife were divorcing at the time and she had obtained a restraining order against him. Sharpe had previously attacked his wife with a fork, Mrs. Sharpe alleged in an affadavit.

While Sharpe had two documented suicide attempts prior to his death, his appellate lawyer, Michael J. Traft, said he was shocked when he heard the news. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Traft said that he suspected foul play.

“I was surprised that he would have committed suicide at this time because he did not indicate that he was despondent,” Traft told The Crimson yesterday. “He had been relatively positive in his communication.”

At the time of Sharpe’s death, Traft had been working on a motion for a new trial and an appeal of the life sentence.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Welner, who examined Sharpe in 2003, echoed Traft’s sentiments in a statement released Tuesday.

“[Sharpe] had received actual written threats photocopied on what could have only been Department of Corrections equipment (because of the security of the facility),” Welner said.

“It is my hope that local authorities conduct a careful psychological autopsy to ascertain the possibility of murder versus suicide,” Welner added.

Sharpe’s death is being investigated by the Norfolk district attorney’s office, said David Traub, a spokesman for the Norfolk district attorney. State law dictates that all unattended prison deaths be reviewed.

Sharpe’s trial in 2001 became a media sensation in large part because of the revelation that he was a cross-dresser. The trial was televised by CourtTV and turned into a book (“Twisted: The Secret Desires and Bizarre Double Life of Dr. Richard Sharpe”).

Sharpe, a dermatologist by training, had been affiliated with the Medical School for 15 years, but was let go as a part-time clinical instructor in June 2000 for not fulfilling his duties.

—Staff writer Sofia E. Groopman can be reached at segroopm@fas.harvard.edu.