LINWOOD, N.J. – The physician husband of a radio host slain in 2012 brandished a handgun as agents executed search warrants Tuesday at his office and home, authorities said.
The county prosecutor said the raids weren’t connected to the wife’s slaying.
As police and FBI agents executed a search warrant at Dr. James Kauffman’s Egg Harbor Township office and at his Linwood home, Kauffman displayed a Ruger 9mm handgun and a 45-minute standoff ensued, the Atlantic County prosecutor’s office said.
“We were able to talk him off the ledge,” said Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner. “He was taken to a psychiatric program. He is under arrest as we continue to investigate the charges that were filed against him in connection with possession of a weapon.”
Tyner said the raids weren’t linked to the slaying of April Kauffman.
“We look to get a lot of answers that we currently don’t have now,” Tyner said.
The prosecutor’s office said the search warrants were issued as investigators probe “all leads pertaining to suspected criminal activity.”
April Kauffman, 47, was found dead on May 10, 2012, inside her bedroom in their Linwood home and had gunshot wounds. Authorities said a handyman made the discovery.
No one has ever been charged.
The day before her death, she co-hosted “The King Arthur Show” on radio station WIBG, a show she had appeared on weekly for at least several months. Authorities believe the killing had nothing to do with her work on the radio.
Last month, Tyner sought permission from a judge to obtain a DNA sample from the endocrinologist, who has since remarried and had a child. The judge’s decision remains sealed.
Attorneys for April Kauffman’s daughter, Kimberly Pack, have filed a motion pushing for more information about the investigation to be released.
Pack is in a legal battle with her stepfather that was sparked by his attempts to claim April Kauffman’s two life insurance policies.
His claim was turned down because the prosecutor’s office couldn’t provide a letter saying he wasn’t considered a suspect in April Kauffman’s killing.
Pack’s attorney filed a document alleging that James Kauffman is responsible for April Kauffman’s death.
James Kauffman has denied involvement and a trial is pending.
A message was left seeking comment from his lawyer.
Police took the husband of a murdered New Jersey radio host into custody Tuesday morning, five years after she was found dead in her Linwood home.
Dr. James Kauffman surrendered to authorities at his Egg Harbor Township office following a tense 45-minute standoff that began with him showing cops a 9 mm handgun, the Atlantic County prosecutor’s office said.
“We were able to talk him off the ledge,” Damon Tyner, Atlantic County Prosecutor told ABC. Adding that Kauffman was taken to a psychiatric program where he is being monitored.
Kauffman will be charged with unlawful possession of a weapon among other weapons charges, though Tyner said no charges related to April Kauffman’s slaying would be immediately brought.
Prosecutors said warrants to search Kauffman’s home and office were issued as investigators look into “leads pertaining to criminal activity.”
April Kauffman was found dead of gunshot wounds on May 10, 2012 inside her bedroom. No one has ever been charged in her death.
In April, Tyner’s office filed a motion requesting James Kauffman’s DNA, though the judge’s decision remains sealed.
April Kauffman’s daughter, Kimberly Pack, is in an ongoing legal battle with her since remarried doctor stepfather, prompted by his attempts to collect her mother’s two life insurance policies.
Her attorneys have filed a document claiming James Kauffman is responsible for April Kauffman’s death, though he has denied any involvement.