Judge orders evaluation of Bradley Cooper

RALEIGH -- Bradley Cooper will have to submit to a psychological evaluation by an expert chosen by his wife's parents, a Wake District Court judge ruled today.

The decision came in connection with a custody fight between Cooper and the parents of his slain wife, Nancy. The two sides are in a dispute over custody of Bradley and Nancy Cooper's daughters.

Under a temporary agreement, Nancy Cooper's parents and her sister have custody of her daughters, ages 4 and 2.

Nancy Cooper disappeared July 12; a walker found her body in an unbuilt subdivision two days later. No one has been charged with her murder, and Bradley Cooper has sworn he had nothing to do with her death. The police investigation has focused on him, however.

An autopsy report released late today by the state medical examiner’s office indicated Nancy Cooper died of strangulation. Medical examiners found a faint mark near her throat. The autopsy report described the cause of death due to “homicidal violence.”

Medical examiners also performed a sexual assault evidence kit. The report did not whether they found evidence of sexual assault. Nancy Cooper was unclothed, save for an elastic, halter-style athletic bra when police discovered her remains on July 14, two days after she disappeared, according to the autopsy report.

Bradley Cooper has already submitted to an evaluation by a psychologist hired by his own attorneys. The probe centered around any risk he might pose as a parent, his response to his wife's death and a possible history of mental illness.

His attorney, Deborah Sandlin, said that he submitted to the exam because he didn't want to force any delays in an October hearing in which he will fight to have his daughters returned to him.

"Mr. Cooper's very anxious to have his children back in his home," Sandlin said. He visited with his children this weekend, one of two face-to-face visits he's been allowed since July 25.

On Oct. 16, Wake County District Court Judge Debra Sasser will evaluate again who ought to be caring for the Cooper children.

The custody case has moved forward while the criminal investigation has been slow to offer any resolution. The custody dispute is forcing questions and answers often explored in criminal trials.

Sasser acknowledged the key question hanging over the custody dispute.

"I am not going to avoid the elephant in the room: Did Brad Cooper kill his wife?" Sasser asked. "That's what I have to determine in this custody case if no one is charged and convicted in Nancy Cooer's death before the custody hearing."

Sasser today sifted through a long list of receipts, tax records and other documents that Nancy Cooper's family are demanding as part of the custody hearing.

In the days following Nancy Cooper's death, police searched Bradley Cooper's computer for research queries on how to dispose of a body, according to search warrants.

Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore would not comment on the autopsy report.