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Son of Cooper CEO Nabbed on Drug Charge Same Day as Arson Blaze Killed Parents

By David Madden

SOMERVILLE, N.J. (CBS) -- As the probe continues into how Cooper Hospital CEO John Sheridan and his wife were killed in a house fire almost two months ago, word has emerged that one of their sons was arrested on cocaine possession charges that same day.

Prosecutors in Somerset County confirmed to the Philadelphia Inquirer that 40-year-old Matthew Sheridan, who lived with his parents, was arrested on September 28th, hours after his parents were killed in a house fire.

Investigators indicate there is no connection between the son's drug possession case and the fire, which has been labeled arson, and authorities all but cleared the Sheridan's four sons of any involvement in the blaze a month ago.

Detectives are awaiting test results and have yet to say how John and Joyce Sheridan actually died, or who may be responsible for the bedroom fire.

The prosecutor has five years to decide how to proceed on Matthew's drug case.

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