Woman found on Waukegan hospital roof dies, coroner says cause was hypothermia
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) -- New details were released after a woman died hours after being found on the roof of a Waukegan hospital.
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Chelsea Adolphus, 28, was identified as the woman who died at Vista Medical Center East last week.
Lake County, Illinois Coroner Jennifer Banek released more information regarding Adolphus' death, including that preliminary autopsy results show she died of hypothermia. There are multiple ongoing investigations to determine how that happened.
Hospital personnel found Adolphus on the roof of the second floor on Thursday morning, Banek said. She said video shows Adolphus leave her room around 2 a.m. on Thursday. She was found seven hours later on a roof, wearing only a hospital gown.
The coroner said the Adolphus' body temperature was about 50 degrees when she was found.
Hospital staff attempted to resuscitate her for 14 hours, until she was pronounced dead around 11 p.m., according to Banek.
Family said Adolphus was a kind, friendly woman who would help anyone in need. They are devastated by her death and still trying to understand how it happened.
"We want to know exactly what happened from when my sister set foot in that facility," brother Paul Adolphus said.
Relatives said she had gone to the hospital for a relatively minor medical issue and was due to be discharged soon. It's not clear how she got on the roof of Vista Medical Center. Investigators said the door to the roof locked from the outside.
Banek, a one-time employee of the hospital, also voiced concerns on the hospital's ability to care for patients. She cited how the hospital lost their trauma designation last year.
"American Healthcare Systems must be held accountable to provide safe, quality healthcare to Waukegan and its surrounding communities," Banek said. "It has repeatedly fallen short by failing to meet its financial obligations to vendors, clinical providers, the City of Waukegan for its water bill, in addition, to $1M owed in back taxes."
Vista Medical Center released a statement saying in part, "Our sincere condolences go out to the family during this difficult time. During an ongoing investigation and in accordance with HIPAA regulations, the hospital will not disclose any patient's specific health information."
A hospital spokesperson said there is also an ongoing internal investigation into the death. The family has hired an attorney, who said he is considering a civil lawsuit.
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