98-year-old woman's death in Illinois ruled homicide
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. -- The death of 98-year-old Dorothy Byrd in an assisted living facility in south suburban South Holland was ruled a homicide, and now two other deaths are under investigation.
The medical examiner's office said Monday that Byrd had a toxic level of painkillers in her system when she died Feb. 4. Test showed she died from an overdose of morphine and hydrocodone combined with high blood pressure and heart disease.
On the morning of Feb. 3, six residents of Holland Home suddenly fell ill. They were taken to the hospital with what has been described as a "non-life threatening illness."
Three of those patients died, including Byrd. There is no word yet on the causes of death in the other cases as toxicology tests are pending.
Following the incident in February, the assisted living facility was checked for gas and carbon monoxide leaks. But none were found.
The medical examiner is also investigating the deaths of Leon Krynicki, 98, and Robert Rundin, 88. They were among the six Holland Home residents hospitalized February 3. They are ordering the same toxicology tests as in the Byrd case. Rundin died March 7.
Byrd had two daughters, one of whom preceded her in death, and was married for 60 years before her husband's death.
Byrd's surviving daughter says her mother had dementia, but still had days when her mind and memory were clear. She was generally able-bodied for a woman of her age, her daughter Sandra says.
Byrd completed nursing school at age 21. At age 48, she graduated from the University Hospital School of Nursing as an R.N. and she practiced as a nurse for many years. At age 58, she completed her bachelor's degree in nursing from the Medical College of Georgia. She and her daughter completed that program together.
She was a founding member and later an adviser to the Licensed Practical Nurses Association of Georgia, her daughter said.
Byrd was born in Georgia and lived there until her daughter moved her to the Chicago area in 2006.
