‘Seriously, die’: Vanderbilt hospital chief accused of sending wife threatening messages

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A top administrator at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville is accused of sending threatening messages to his wife after a holiday party on Sunday, authorities said.

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Robert Scott Frankenfield, 48, was arrested and charged with assault and harassment, according to Nashville government online booking records. He is listed on the Vanderbilt University Medical Center website as a regional director of emergency medicine and an assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department. officers arrived at the Frankenfields’ home Sunday after the victim called in a domestic disturbance, WTVF reported. The woman told police that she felt endangered by her husband’s words and behavior.

According to an arrest affidavit, upon leaving his office party, Frankenfield allegedly asked his wife to drive him to Nashville’s entertainment district on Broadway but she refused, believing him to be overly intoxicated, WSMV-TV reported.

When Frankenfield realized his wife was driving them home, he demanded to be let out of the vehicle, according to the affidavit. After his wife complied, Frankenfield began calling her, asking her to pick him up, but she refused, WKRN-TV reported.

At that point, police said Frankenfield began sending threatening text messages, according to the television station.

“This is not a game. I made it clear. You chose your side and it is not mine. I will destroy anyone against me,” Frankenfield’s texts allegedly stated, according to the arrest affidavit. “That is a fact. You have chosen war. I hope you are prepared. I wouldn’t sleep. I’m coming home. Did you count the guns? Did you remember the one in the car? You have lost all rights to me. I am no longer your friend, your lover, or your husband. You are the embarrassment. And I am done with you.”

In addition, Frankenfield reportedly told his wife to “seriously, die,” WKRN reported.

The victim told police that she had “extreme concern for her life, safety, and the well-being of herself and her family,” according to WTVF.

An Indiana native, Frankenfield moved to Wilson County, Tennessee, in 2009, according to his Vanderbilt biography. He has served as the medical director at three different facilities and in 2014 was named the Envision emergency medicine director of the year.

In a statement, Vanderbilt officials said that Frankenfield has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.

“We have no further comment on this personal matter,” officials added in their statement.

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