Last Of Three Deaths Tied To Nursing Home Ruled Natural
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The cause of death has been determined for the last of three residents of a South Holland nursing home who died after being rushed to hospitals in February.
Robert Rundin, 88, was one of six residents of Holland Home who were hospitalized on Feb. 3, after apparently being overmedicated. While three of those people have since recovered, Rundin and two others later died.
Dorothy Byrd, 98, died the next day. Rundin and 98-year-old Leon Krynicki died about one month later.
An autopsy has since determined Rundin died of natural causes.
That was the same finding in the death of 98-year-old Leon Krynicki. His hospitalization might have been due to over-medication, but the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said the medication did not contribute to his death about one month later.
However, Byrd's death has been ruled a homicide, caused by toxic levels of morphine and hydrocodone.
Byrd family attorney Thomas Paris has said Byrd was taking hydrocodone for back pain, but not at the levels found in her body when she died. He said she was not prescribed any morphine.
South Holland Police Chief Greg Baker said the case remains under investigation, and the Cook County State's Attorney's office is considering if any criminal charges will be filed.
A source suggested the six patients might have been improperly sedated, after a major snowstorm left the nursing home short-staffed, as a way to ease the workload of employees.