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WEST HAVEN, CT., March 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — World-renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Henry C. Lee died peacefully on Friday, March 27, at his home in Henderson, Nevada, displaying remarkable strength, grace and resilience during a brief illness. He was 87 years old. His death was announced by his family, in conjunction with the University of New Haven, where he was a distinguished professor for more than 50 years.
In his final days, Dr. Lee was finalizing a book on missing persons investigations, which will be published in the near future. He is the author or co-author of more than 40 books.
Dr. Lee joined the University of New Haven in 1975 and founded the university’s forensic science program, growing it from a small classroom equipped with a single fingerprint kit to an internationally renowned, multidisciplinary academic department, considered one of the best in the country.
In 1998, he founded the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Sciences, and in 2010 the university opened a state-of-the-art home for the institute, a three-story, 15,000-square-foot facility with the most advanced forensic investigative technology, including a crime scene center, a high-tech forensic room, a crisis management center and a state-of-the-art learning center. “The Institute will become a catalyst for professionals in the field to work together,” Dr Lee said at its inauguration. “The world then becomes a small community committed to the fight against crime.”
For more than 20 years while at the University of New Haven, Dr. Lee served as Chief Criminologist for the State of Connecticut and Director of the Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory from 1978 to 2000 and was Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Connecticut State Police from 1998 to 2000. He served as Chief Emeritus of the Scientific Services Division of the State of Connecticut from 2000 to 2010.
Throughout his legendary career, Dr. Lee served as a forensic expert in all 50 states and more than 46 countries, and lectured in more than 70 countries. He has consulted to 600 law enforcement agencies and testified more than 1,000 times in criminal and civil courts in the United States and abroad, including in the OJ Simpson case. For some of the most high-profile cases, Dr. Lee provided investigative assistance, including the murder of JonBenét Ramsey, the murder of wood chipper Helle Crafts, the Laci Peterson case, the death of Chandra Levy, the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart, the 9/11 forensic investigation, and the reinvestigation of the John F. Kennedy assassination.
Dr. Lee was born on November 22, 1938, in Rugao, Jiangsu, China, where a multi-story museum stands in his honor. His family moved to Taiwan where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in police administration from the Taiwan Police College in 1960. He became a police officer in the Taipei Police Department, becoming a captain at the age of 22, the youngest in Taiwan’s history.
Dr. Lee moved to the United States with his late wife in 1964. Dr. Lee received his Ph.D. (1975) and a master’s degree (1974) in biochemistry from New York University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in forensic science from John Jay College (1972). Dr. Lee has received 30 honorary degrees, including from the University of New Haven in 1991 and 2010. Dr. Lee served as a distinguished member of the University’s Board of Governors for nearly 30 years.
Dr. Lee was predeceased by his wife Margaret Lee in 2017. He is survived by his daughter Sherry Hersey and son Stanley Lee, their respective spouses, Ted and Romy, and their four grandchildren, David Hersey and Rachel Hersey Hotaj, and Joseph and Alexander Lee, as well as his wife Angel Xiaping Jiang and sons Yan Liu and Tianchen Liu.
The eleventh of 13 children, Dr. Lee credits his sister, Dr. Sylvia Lee-Huang, for supporting him throughout his education and career. Dr. Lee recently said, “Without the support of Dr. Sylvia Lee-Huang, there would be no Dr. Henry Lee. »
Committed to giving back to the community, he has donated his speaking fees and major gifts over the years. Always humble, he didn’t want a memorial or celebration of life.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Friends of Dr. Henry C. Lee Fundwhich supports critical improvements to laboratory spaces, equipment and teaching facilities, ensuring that the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences remains at the forefront of forensic science education for generations to come. Special gifts can be discussed via email botis@newhaven.edu or by calling 203-932-7263.
Friends can post comments, memories and photos on a Kudoboard page dedicated to Dr. Lee.
Learn more about Dr. Lee’s legacy.
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SOURCE University of New Haven
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Source: PR Newswire
