Autopsy on UCI doctor set for Monday

The Orange County coroner’s office plans to perform an autopsy Monday morning on the body of a UC Irvine doctor found dead in her swimming pool, authorities said.

Dr. Marianne Cinat, 46, director of the UC Irvine Regional Burn Center in Orange, was found in her backyard pool in Rossmoor about 11:14 a.m. Saturday by a long-time friend who had dropped by to visit, said Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the O.C. Sheriff-Coroner.

The investigation is on-going and autopsy details should be available between noon and 1 p.m. Monday, Amormino said.

“The UC Irvine community is devastated by this loss,” said UCI spokesperson John Murray.

“Dr. Marianne Cinat was an outstanding surgeon whose skill and compassion touched the lives of hundreds of burn survivors and their families. She was a wonderful colleague, friend and mentor whose presence will be deeply missed.”’

A similar tragedy struck UCI about a month ago, when a staff member, Andrea Silvestri, 37, was found dead in a Jacuzzi at a faculty housing facility.

— Lauren Williams