Abortion History: Death of Joyce Chorney

Abortion History: Death of Joyce Chorney

Died in 1953

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Joyce Chorney, age 25, died Wednesday, November 18, 1953.

An autopsy was performed at Bellevue Hospital. It showed that she had died of an induced abortion.

Fifty-four-year-old Dr. Alfred Joseph was charged with criminal abortion in her death.

Joyce's abortion was typical of pre-legalization abortions in that it was performed by a physician.

Source: New York Times, 11-22-53

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