Body found along I-94 was HCMC chief of anesthesiology

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The body of a 50-year-old man discovered along Interstate 94 and Groveland Avenue just outside of downtown Minneapolis was identified by his wife on Tuesday as the chief of anesthesiology at Hennepin County Medical Center.

His wife, Kerry Ace, told the Star Tribune Dr. Christopher D. Robert was walking to their downtown condo after a work Christmas party. His body was found Saturday morning near the shoulder of I-94.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office repot remained inconclusive, and read: "The above named individual was found dead. Cause and manner of death is yet to be determined. Minneapolis Police are assisting with this investigation."

Ace is an emergency room doctor at Children’s Hospital in St. Paul and said investigators haven’t released any details about what may have led to Robert’s death. She is asking anyone with information to contact police.

Ace said her husband was walking to the couple’s condo in the 200 block of 11th Street from a holiday celebration for the anesthesiology department.

A 911 caller initially reported his body before 7:30 a.m. and backups along the interstate ensued until late Saturday morning. Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Tiffani Schweigart tweeted over the weekend it was an "Unwitnessed death. Does not appear hit & run/crash. MPD handling. 2 lanes closed.”

Robert also leaves behind two children, Evan, 18, and Jennifer, 11.

Statement from Hennepin County Medical Center on the death of Dr. Christopher Robert

We have been informed that Dr. Christopher Robert, Chief of Anesthesiology at HCMC, died this past weekend. We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Dr. Robert and we extend our thoughts and support to his family at this difficult time. We have been supporting his colleagues and co-workers today as they continue their daily work to provide care to our community.

Dr. Robert joined HCMC in 2003 and was appointed Chief of Anesthesiology in 2011.