Doctor Questioned in Biofem Probe Remains Hospitalized

The surgeon questioned last week in connection with the attempted murder of an Irvine businessman remained hospitalized in stable condition Monday after suffering chest pains.

Dr. Jerry D. Nilsson was escorted to Western Medical Center in Anaheim on Friday evening by federal law enforcement agents. He had just undergone several hours of questioning about the shooting on Feb. 28 of Biofem Inc. Chief Executive Officer James Patrick Riley.

Nilsson was a longtime friend and hunting partner of the late Dr. Larry C. Ford, Patrick Riley’s partner at Biofem. Ford committed suicide on March 2, the day after detectives searched his Irvine home.

Nilsson, 69, was taken from his Anaheim home in handcuffs Friday by police, who said they had evidence that might link him to the attack on Riley. He was questioned but not arrested and has been ruled

out as the gunman in the attack. Prosecutors have charged Dino D’Saachs, a Los Angeles businessman and close friend of Ford, with driving the gunman’s getaway van.

Nilsson could not be reached for comment Monday.

Fearing Nilsson was dangerous, police used a ruse Friday to draw him out of a home he shares with his girlfriend and her three children. Witnesses said that when he emerged, Nilsson was wrestled to the ground by five law enforcement agents.

Irvine Police Lt. Sam Allevato said Nilsson complained of a medical problem during his interview with police. He was treated first by paramedics and then a doctor, Allevato said.

Police, FBI and hazardous materials teams scoured Nilsson’s Anaheim home on Deerwood Drive for evidence Friday and Saturday. Hazardous materials experts and the Anaheim Fire Department removed boxes of material from the property for testing.

The Medical Board of California revoked Nilsson’s license to practice medicine on March 27 after allegations that he had sexually molested one patient and carried on an affair with another that began when she was 14.

Times staff writer Jack Leonard contributed to this report.