Chelsea Adolphus, a 28-year-old patient at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Illinois, tragically died after being found unresponsive on the hospital’s roof on January 23, 2025.
Adolphus had been admitted to the hospital in the early hours of January 22 for medical treatment, though the specifics of her condition remain undisclosed due to the ongoing investigation.
According to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek, Adolphus left her hospital room around 2 a.m. on January 23 and was not found until 8:45 a.m. – nearly seven hours later – on the hospital’s rooftop.
She was discovered wearing only a hospital gown and was unresponsive when found.
Banek confirmed that Adolphus’s body temperature at the time of her discovery was only 50 degrees Fahrenheit, a severe sign of hypothermia.
Despite resuscitation attempts, Adolphus was pronounced dead 14 hours later at 11:03 p.m. Preliminary autopsy results confirmed hypothermia as the cause of death, although final conclusions are pending pending toxicology reports.
The circumstances surrounding her death have raised concerns.
It was revealed that the door through which Adolphus exited the building did not have alarms, nor was it possible for her to re-enter after it closed.


Banek also discussed the lack of proper safety measures at Vista Medical Center, citing concerns she had raised previously.
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In December 2023, the Illinois Department of Public Health revoked Vista’s level 2 trauma designation for several safety violations, including inadequate clinical staff.
Chelsea’s family is demanding answers. Her brother, Paul Adolphus, spoke at a press conference saying, “We want to know exactly what happened from when my sister stepped foot in that facility.
The family needs answers and we need answers immediately.”
In a statement, the hospital extended its condolences to the family and confirmed an internal investigation is underway.