A Family Wants Answers After Black Woman’s Body Found on Roof of Chicago-Area Hospital

A 28-year-old woman’s body was found on the roof of a Chicago-area hospital. Now, her family is desperate for answers explaining the circumstances that led to her death and how she got to the roof in the first place.

Cheslea Adolphus checked into Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Illinois to receive treatment for an undisclosed condition on Wednesday, January 22. However, her body was discovered on the roof of the facility at approximately 9:00 on the morning of Thursday, January 23, according to USA Today. Surveillance video shows her leaving her room at approximately 2:00 am the next morning.

According to Lake County, Illinois Coroner Jennifer Banek, autopsy reports reveal Adolphus’ cause of death as hypothermia, adding that her body temperature was close to 50 degrees when she was found.

She told USA Today that Adolphus likely got to the roof through a door that was locked from the outside and didn’t have alarms. But Banek, who once worked at Vista, adds that she has tried to raise concerns about some of the facility’s practices in the past, adding that Vista’s parent company should be responsible for keeping patients safe.

“American Healthcare Systems must be held accountable to provide safe, quality healthcare to Waukegan and its surrounding communities,” Banek told ABC 7 Chicago. “It has repeatedly fallen short by failing to meet its financial obligations to vendors, clinical providers, the City of Waukegan for its water bill, in addition to one million dollars owed in back taxes.”

The hospital offered an apology to Chelsea’s family in a statement, adding that they have launched an internal investigation into the events surrounding her death. But Chelsea’s family is seeking answers and accountability.

“The Adolphus family will be seeking justice for Chelsea Adolphus because this has to be stopped,” Chelsea’s brother Paul said. “If there’s anyone, any staff that was on board that day in the Vista hospital, me and my family ask that you guys come … so we can get justice for my sister.”