Authorities in Pennsylvania have launched an investigation into the tragic death of a 44-year-old woman suffering from multiple sclerosis, who was discovered under appalling conditions, indicating severe neglect.
Elizabeth Fike was declared dead on Thursday morning, according to an announcement by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.
“At this point in her life, she was entirely reliant on caregivers, and what we encountered was a person living in extremely dire circumstances,” remarked Coroner Bob Baker in an interview with KDKA.
Baker detailed the distressing scene where Fike was found surrounded by extreme squalor, including a bedpan and stagnant bath water. Despite this, unused medical equipment such as a new hospital bed, urinal, and wheelchair were present at the location.
“None of it had been used; it was all untouched, while she lay amidst this filth,” he noted.
Following Fike’s death, her caregiver mentioned on social media that her medication for multiple sclerosis hadn’t been delivered. However, they refused to provide further comments when approached by KDKA for more details.
But the paid caretaker — Fike’s boyfriend, Tim Childs — told WATE he did the best he could.
“I have cerebral palsy, and I did the best of my ability to do what I needed to do for her,” he said. “When she had her meds, it was easy. I didn’t have a problem. She ran out of her meds, and it got tougher. I struggled.”
“We had the meds on order, but they hadn’t come in.”
Childs declined to talk about the conditions of the home.
Charges are pending while officials await autopsy results.
