88yearold woman’s death ruled homicide

For the second time this year, the Denver medical examiner has declared an elderly woman’s death a homicide and pinned the blame on inadequate medical care.

Mary Smith, 88, died May 22 at an area hospital, according to a news release from the medical examiner’s office. Her primary caretaker did not follow her care plan, seek medical attention or provide adequate nutrition or medications as required, the news release said.

Smith also was taken from a hospital against medical advice and denied wound care by a home health nurse during her final year, according to the medical examiner.

“Ms. Smith had complex medical issues and was completely reliant upon others to provide care and facilitate activities of daily living,” the news release said.

That same language was used in an April news release to announce the death of 82yearold Lillie Griffin, who died in Febru ary. Griffin’s death also was ruled a homicide.

Griffin’s family had removed her from a nursing home. A failure to provide care led to infected wounds, which ultimately contributed to her death, the medical examiner said.

At the time, the Denver Police Department said Griffin’s death was under investigation.

Denver police spokesman John White said detectives have an open investigation into Smith’s death. He did not have an update on Griffin’s death investigation.