WAUKEGAN, IL (January 27, 2025) – A woman was found unresponsive on the rooftop of Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan around 8:45 a.m. on Thursday morning, according to WGN9.
The female hospital patient was found unresponsive suffering from cold exposure and was brought down from the rooftop to the emergency room. Staff provided treatment but despite their efforts, she died at 11:03 p.m. that evening.
The family identified the woman as a 28-year-old Waukegan woman.
The woman was reportedly admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for a medical issue, according to Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton. Shortly after her admission, she went missing. After her body was discovered on the roof, sources indicate she may have wandered there in a confused state due to a medical condition, FOX32 reports.
The woman’s brother told WGN he met with hospital officials on Friday, who confirmed his sister’s body had been found on the roof and told him “she had slept on the roof.” This was after he claims medical staff gave him three conflicting stories about how and where her body was found, according to WGN9. Initially, a nurse mistakenly informed the woman’s mother that her daughter had been found in the parking lot, covered in ice, according to the family.
The family said they feel let down and do not know how long she was exposed to the freezing weather. They are considering legal action against Vista Medical Center East.
An autopsy was conducted on Friday at the coroner’s office, but the results have not been released.
This incident occurred just two weeks after Vista Health System announced it was furloughing 69 workers from Vista Medical Center East due to financial difficulties.
Sources also revealed that staff furloughs at the hospital resulted in the absence of “designated sitters” — individuals tasked with monitoring patients at risk of confusion or disorientation.
Officials are set to hold a press conference this week.
