Family of Belizean Who Died on Hospital Roof Files Lawsuit  

The family of a Belizean woman who died under mysterious circumstances on a hospital rooftop in Waukegan, Illinois, is struggling to come to terms with her tragic death. Twenty-seven-year-old Chelsea Adolphus was found unresponsive, wearing only a medical gown, on the roof of Vista Medical Center last Thursday. Preliminary autopsy results released on Monday revealed she died of hypothermia due to cold exposure. Adolphus had been admitted to the hospital the day before for an unspecified medical issue and was discovered missing from her room that morning. She was found on the roof nearly seven hours later, with temperatures well below freezing. Despite the staff’s efforts to resuscitate her for fourteen hours, Adolphus was pronounced dead around eleven that night. The hospital has launched an investigation, but the family has already filed lawsuits against the facility. Today, Dayan Adolphus, Chelsea’s aunt, told News Five’s Marion Ali that they are in shock.

 

Yolanda Adolphus, Mother of Deceased

“She was sweet, she was friendly. She’s a kind person.”

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Yolanda Adolphus, holding back tears, spoke about the vibrant personality of her only daughter, Chelsea. Now, she is demanding answers.

 

Yolanda Adolphus

“I’m sad, the way how my daughter’s death went and I want answers. I want they give me answers to know what happened to my daughter. Somebody needs to give me what happened to my baby who is gone and I will never get back my daughter.”

 

According to ABC News, a relative peered through one of the hospital windows and was shocked to see Chelsea lying on the rooftop. Civil Rights Attorney, Benjamin Crump has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital on behalf of Chelsea’s family. Their claim centers on negligence, among other issues.

 

Benjamin Crump, Civil Rights Attorney

“This is a god-awful heartbreaking tragedy. We promise the family that we will get to the truth of what happened.”

 

Kevin Spiegel, the hospital’s CEO, stated that the staff began searching for Chelsea almost immediately after she was reported missing.

 

Kevin Spiegel, CEO, Vista Medical Centre

“We’re confident that the way the staff handled the situation was a hundred percent appropriate.”

 

Today, Dayan Adolphus, Chelsea’s aunt from Belize, shared with News Five that Chelsea had left Belize as a child and was planning to visit her this year.

 

Marion Ali

“You spoke about what?”

 

Dayan Adolphus, Aunt of Chelsea Adolphus

“Oh, we spoke about life, coming here to Belize, you know, and she’s like, “I want to come here,” you know, because she born in Cayo, so, she’s like, well, “Auntie, try, get ready that I’mma, come over there soon, and then you’ll get to know me more.”

 

While Dayan Adolphus mentioned that her niece struggled with depression, the specific medical condition that brought Chelsea to the hospital remains unclear. Marion Ali for News Five.