CLEVELAND -- Police and homicide detectives are investigating the death of a nurse found in downtown Cleveland bleeding and calling for help.
She has been identified as Aliza Sherman, 53, of Beachwood. Police received a call around 4:30 p.m. Sunday for a woman screaming at 75 Erieview Plaza behind the Galleria.
When they arrived, police found Sherman covered in blood. EMS took her to MetroHealth Medical Center where she later died. Police say she still had her purse and it was unclear if anything else was taken.
TheCuyahoga County Medical Examiner said Sherman died from multiple stab wounds. While her friends and coworkers wonder what happened, they're remembering her warmth.
"I don't think there was a more gentle kinder person than Aliza," said Dr. James Goldfarb, the director of IVF and fertility at University Hospitals. He worked with Sherman at the Cleveland Clinic, where she was the headinvitro fertilization nurse. Goldfarb says she offered compassion to her patients a stressful time.
Now her coworkers, who know the effort it takes to create one life,struggle with how quickly one can be taken away.
"She just was a very gentle person, who would never hurt anybody. I think it makes it that much more difficult to see what happened to her," said Goldfarb.
The Clinic released the following statement: "We are saddened by the tragic death of our long-time employee, Aliza, who was an invitro fertilization nurse. She has touched many lives and will always be remembered for her warmth and kindness. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time."
Police found Sherman outside Erieview Plaza, just steps from Stafford & Stafford, LPA, her attorney's office. Channel 3 tried to contact her attorney Gregory Moore several times with no response.
Aliza and her husband Sanford Sherman were due in court Tuesday March 26 for a contested divorce trial. "We all know she was having some issues, you know, martial issues at this point. That's been going on for a long time," said Goldfarb. "She was, as anybody else would be very upset about that. Those things were never easy."
A family friend at the couple's home in Beachwood told us her estranged husband and four grown children are asking for privacy.
Judge Diane Palos with Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations court said the divorce filings began in June 2011. While the docket shows many discovery issues related to the couple's finances, Palos said there are no physical safety issues mentioned.
Meanwhile Cleveland police are talking to witnesses, and hoping surveillance video maybe able to tell the story. Dave Clark, General Manager at the Galleria, says the complex has 50 cameras. Any information they can provide will be given to police.
Clark said they are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of tenants and their guests. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.
