For the first time since Sarah Shanks’ suspicious death in 2023, her family is closer to understanding what happened the night her husband, an emergency room doctor, called 911.
Sarah’s parents blame Ryan Shanks for her death and Ryan blames emergency responders and hospital staff. The sides have filed competing lawsuits and Ryan has not been charged criminally. Caught in the middle are the Shanks’ two young children.
In a March 24 hearing, Knox County Chancellor John Weaver appointed a third-party arbitrator, called a guardian ad litem, to represent the children’s best interests in the settlement of their mother’s estate, removing Ryan from the role, though he retains custody of the kids. The guardian ad litem will make a recommendation to Weaver, who will not be bound by the guardian’s recommendation…