Cause Of Death Confirmed For Woman Who Left Windsor Locks Nursing Home: Report

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A 93-year-old nursing home resident who left a facility in Windsor Locks during freezing conditions in February died of hypothermia, according to the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, as reported by WFSB Channel 3.

WFSB Channel 3 reported Monday that Margaret Healy’s cause of death was determined to be hypothermia due to environmental exposure.

The medical examiner also identified “other significant conditions of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” reported WFSB.

The death drew scrutiny to the Bickford Health Care Center, which has since closed.

State officials ordered the facility to shut down, and all 36 residents had been relocated by April 10, according to state Rep. Jane Garibay, D-Windsor, last month.

Authorities said the incident occurred in the early morning hours of Feb. 8, when Healy left the building through a rear employee entrance.

Surveillance video showed her exiting at about 1:50 a.m., according to Windsor Locks police.

Investigators said the door lacked a wander-guard system despite the resident being known to wander.

The door was supposed to remain closed and locked with keypad access, but police found it was often propped open and that the access code was posted nearby.

Healy was found outside more than three hours later in freezing temperatures.

Police said 911 was not called until 6:23 a.m.; she was pronounced dead at 6:46 a.m.

The facility had already been under investigation before the incident, with officials citing both safety concerns and financial problems tied to the property.

The state’s closure order followed weeks of increased scrutiny after the death.

For the full WFSB Channel 3 report, click on this link.

From April 13: 'Nursing Home Closes After Resident’s Death'