Hollywood Nursing Home Tragedy Claims 11th Elderly Victim

HOLLYWOOD, FL — An 11th elderly resident and the third this week has died from the stifling Hollywood, Florida nursing home that lost power during Hurricane Irma. Some 158 patients were evacuated from the facility, many on stretchers or in wheelchairs in the days following the storm. Hollywood police identified the latest victim as 94-year-old Alice Thomas.

Ninety-four-year-old Martha Murray died Wednesday to become the 10th victim, Hollywood police spokeswoman Miranda Grossman told Patch. The ninth victim died on Tuesday more than a week after Hurricane Irma ripped through South Florida. Thomas died on Thursday.

"The Hollywood Police Department is treating all deaths from this facility as part of the criminal investigation, until otherwise advised by the Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services," police said in a statement released late Friday afternoon. (For more information on the Hollywood nursing home deaths and other Aventura-area stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The facility staff dialed 9-1-1 on Sept. 12. By the next morning, rescue officials realized the situation at the center had significantly deteriorated. It operated for days without air-conditioning and the rooms became stiflingly hot.

The criminal investigation is focusing on what went wrong and who, if anyone, was to blame.

Hollywood police appealed to family members of evacuated residents to get in touch with investigators at 954.967.4411 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At other times family members can call 954.967.4435.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott ordered state health officials and the Department of Elder Affairs to issue emergency rules to "keep Floridians safe in healthcare facilities during emergencies." He said he would "aggressively fight" to codify the requirement into law during the 2018 legislative session.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Hollywood Police Chief Tomas Sanchez addresses reporters. Photo by Hollywood Police Department.