DATE: Saturday, September 27, 1997          TAG: 9709270733

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS                      LENGTH:   39 lines

PRONOUNCED DEAD, THIS PATIENT LIVES TO BREATHE SHOOTING VICITIM IS TAKEN OFF LIFE SUPPORT, BUT DOESN'T SUCCUMB.

A man who had been pronounced dead and whose body was placed on support systems to maintain vital organs for transplant was found to be alive Friday night when doctors prepared to remove those organs.

Henry Edgar Kaiser, 35, was found shot about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday at his home in the first block of Langley Ave.

He was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery that night. He had remained in extremely critical condition since. About 10 a.m. Friday, however, he appeared to have succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

At that point, said police spokesman Pete Edgette, a murder investigation was begun.

In the meantime, Kaiser's family had decided to donate his organs. They passed that request on to doctors, who placed Kaiser on life support.

``As a result, he was connected to life support systems to keep his organs functioning,'' Edgette said.

Recipients of the organs were identified and alerted.

But at about 7 p.m. Friday night, ``when he was taken off the life support machines in an effort to remove his organs,'' Edgette said, ``Mr. Kaiser continued to breathe.''

Doctors said Kaiser's breathing and brain activity were ``minimal,'' Edgette said, but ``it is our understanding that they have reversed the declaration of death.''

Police have no suspects in the shooting, but believe the motive may be connected to Kaiser's efforts to sell a 1984 Porsche.

The car was not stolen, however, and was still at his residence when he was found.

Police are investigating leads in the case, Edgette said. KEYWORDS: MURDER REVIVAL SHOOTING

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu