Nicholas Manning, CEO of HCA Healthcare’s West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell, Idaho, has died at age 46, the hospital confirmed in statements shared with Becker’s.
Mr. Manning was found dead in a hotel room in Baltimore, but the cause and manner of death have not been determined. While police investigate his death, his family believes it may be a case of homicide.
On June 6, officers responded to a report from the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel of a possible overdose, a Baltimore Police Department spokesperson told Becker’s via statement. There, officers found Mr. Manning dead in his room. No signs of trauma were observed, the spokesperson, Lindsey Eldridge, said, and Mr. Manning’s body was transported to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
Mr. Manning’s family has objected to the police department’s statement, claiming they have evidence that Mr. Manning was the victim of fraud and homicide, according to CBS News.
Ms. Eldridge said the investigation is ongoing and homicide detectives — who, per the police department’s policy, investigate all unattended deaths.
Mr. Manning was in Baltimore to attend a meeting for a doctoral program he was enrolled in with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, his family said in a post on social media, according to The Baltimore Banner.
“The Johns Hopkins community mourns the tragic loss of Nicholas Manning,” Doug Donovan, a university spokesperson, said in a statement shared with the newspaper. “Our deepest sympathies are with his family and friends in this difficult time.”
Mr. Manning began his tenure as CEO of West Valley Medical Center on Nov. 4, 2024. He was previously COO of HCA’s Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.
Evan Ray, president of HCA’s Mountain Division, said in a statement: “Nicholas Manning was a dedicated and mission-driven leader who loved connecting people to our shared purpose. He spent 17 years serving patients, colleagues and communities as a healthcare leader, including 14 years within HCA Healthcare, most recently as CEO at West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell. Throughout his entire career journey, Nick was a thoughtful and inspirational leader, and he will be deeply missed by all whose lives and careers he touched.”
West Valley Medical Center COO Isabella Chisholm, who is serving as the hospital’s interim CEO, said, “As we grieve this tremendous loss, we are committed to honoring Nick’s legacy by continuing the work he was so passionate about at our hospital and in the community. To Nick’s partner, his family, and all who had the privilege of working with him — we share our deepest sympathies. We will miss him dearly, and we will carry his legacy forward with purpose and care.”
