Phillip Burgess, 54, was treated for a seizure and a cut on his chin Thursday and was discharged at about 4:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at 12:03 a.m. Friday after a hospital employee found him in a bathroom in the emergency department. The employee told officials he saw clothing sticking out from under the door of the bathroom and found Mr. Burgess’ body on the other side of the door when he opened it, according to the report.
In a statement to the Journal Star,Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said preliminary autopsy results show a fracture in Mr. Burgess’ fifth cervical vertebra likely contributed to his death. It is unclear whether Mr. Burgess suffered another seizure after he was discharged from the hospital. Mr. Harwood said a final cause of death will not be available for at least two weeks.
A UnityPoint Health-Methodist spokesman, Blake Long, told the Journal Star the hospital is fully investigating the incident. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” he said.
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